Food Degradation in Supply Chains: Implications for Sustainability and Food Security

Author(s)	Avi Jagota
Country	Thailand
Abstract	Food degradation across supply chains is a common but often underestimated issue that affects how efficiently food systems function. From the point of production to final consumption, food is frequently exposed to poor handling practices, lack of proper storage, transportation delays, and unsuitable packaging. These factors gradually reduce food quality and, in many cases, lead to spoilage and waste. This paper examines the key stages of the food supply chain where degradation is most likely to occur and explains how losses at each stage contribute to rising levels of food waste. It also discusses the environmental impacts of degraded food, such as the unnecessary use of water, land, and energy, along with increased emissions linked to wasted production. In addition, the study highlights how food degradation weakens food security by limiting availability and increasing pressure on already stressed food systems, especially in developing countries. The paper argues that reducing food degradation requires improvements across the entire supply chain rather than isolated solutions at individual stages.
Keywords	Food degradation, supply chain losses, food waste, sustainability, environmental impact, food security.
Field	Sociology
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 1, January-February 2026
Published On	2026-01-31
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i01.67369

About IJFMR Fees & Payment Current Issue Publication Archive	Submit Research Paper Track Submission Status Publication Guidelines Publication Ethics Peer Review & Plagiarism	Join as a Reviewer Editors & Reviewers Reviewer Referral Program Get Reviewer Membership Certi.	Website/Journal Policies Usage Policy Content Policies Privacy Policy

Contact Us		+91-9687-828-838	editor@ijfmr.com

International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research