Food waste is a global challenge. Detailed information on quantities and drivers is needed to provide tailored recommendations for prevention measures. Current studies on meat waste in the Hospitality and Food Service business (HaFS) sector are rare, often based on small sample sizes, and seldom use comparable reference units. The present study reports meat and meat product waste in the German HaFS business sector based on structured telephone interviews. Purchased fresh meat and meat product quantities, as well as waste during storage, due to preparation and leftovers, are captured for four different market segments. Waste ratios referring to weekly meat purchases are analysed and compared between these segments, as well as on the business-type level. In this context, the authors distinguish total and avoidable meat waste. Absolute meat waste volumes are extrapolated on a weighted base for the entire German HaFS sector. Factors influencing meat waste are identified through regression analysis in order to derive possible food waste prevention measures. The results are discussed to provide recommendations for future national monitoring, policy instruments and research.

Meat consumption has become increasingly relevant within the greater scientific, political, and public debate due to the variety of negative effects that it has on the environment, human health, and animal welfare. In Germany, the statistical basis for “direct consumption” entails uncertainties and is based on parameters dating back to 1987. The following study deals with an updated and revised estimate of the per capita consumption of pork, beef, and poultry in Germany, focusing on the supply-side. Unlike the original approach, the estimate is based on a mass flow analysis. It includes a survey at the slaughterhouse level, adjustments to external trade statistics, and assumptions on loss and waste at five different value chain stages. An average total per capita meat consumption of 65 kg is calculated for the year 2018. Thus, meat consumption has been underestimated by 4 kg per capita based on official statistics by overestimating waste, losses, and non-food uses. Our results provide information regarding per capita and total meat consumption, enable future projections, and give an overview of the use of meat outside the food chain. The approach used is discussed against the background of international comparability and applicability. In this way the study provides important indications for political decision-makers and contributes to more objectivity in the public debate on meat consumption.

Zusammenfassung VIII vielschichtig und entsprechende Ernährungsstrategien müssen nationale und internationalen Zielkonflikte abwägen, darunter zum Beispiel Umwelt-, Gesundheits-oder Tierschutzbestrebungen. Darüber hinaus können nachfrageseitige Konzepte für Industrieländer nur ein Teil der Lösung sein, da die Nachfrageentwicklung in Entwicklungsländern mit neuer Dringlichkeit ganzheitliche Ansätze erforderlich macht.

Meat‐focused diets are highly debated considering their environmental and health consequences. A change in consumption patterns in industrialized countries seems inevitable. To inform marketers and policymakers on how to mitigate meat consumption as a means of obtaining sustainability goals, the present study identifies consumer segments based on their actual purchases of fresh meat cuts using German household scanner data for the year 2014. Our revealed‐preference approach suggests that pork and beef traditionalists and convenience‐oriented pork buyers may react to financial incentives. Poultry and premium red meat lovers may be influenced by targeted labeling and quality signals. Overall, low‐meat consumption patterns seem to be less prevalent in Germany than commonly portrayed. [EconLit Citations: C38, D12, E21, Q18].

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