According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, approximately 40% of food is not consumed. The annual amount of food waste is 36 million tons, which is worth $162 billion.
The typical American family throws away 40% of fresh meat, fish, and poultry purchased; 51% of dairy and fruit purchased; and 44% of fresh vegetables purchased.
When packaged in flexible packaging, the shelf life of green beans extends from seven days to 19 days. Some other examples of shelf life extension for food, when packaged in flexible packaging, include grapes, from seven days to 70 days; broccoli from six days to 20 days; steak from three days to 20 days; and cheese from 190 days to 280.
More information is available from the FPA.
