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17 countries that waste most food

Last updated on: October 20, 2011 09:32 IST
Waste generation is becoming a big problem.

While millions are struggling to put two meals on the table and thousands are starving in Africa and in some Indian states, there are people, primarily in the developed world, who continue to waste tonnes of food every day.

So, on the one hand, there are children who are dying because they do not have anything to eat, while, on the other hand, there are people who have so much that they simply throw away a good part of it.

Let us have a look at how much food is wasted in 17 countries, based on OECD Environmental Data Compendium.

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17 countries that waste most food

Last updated on: October 20, 2011 09:32 IST
A view of New York City.

1. The United States

Food wasted by Americans: 760 kilogrammes per person per year.

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17 countries that waste most food

Last updated on: October 20, 2011 09:32 IST
A view of Perth.

2. Australia

Food wasted by Australians: 690 kilogrammes per person per year.

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17 countries that waste most food

Last updated on: October 20, 2011 09:32 IST
Denmark's capital, Copenhagen.

3. Denmark

Food wasted by Danes: 660 kilogrammes per person per year.

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17 countries that waste most food

Last updated on: October 20, 2011 09:32 IST
A view of Geneva.

4. Switzerland

Food wasted by Swiss: 650 kilogrammes per person per year.

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17 countries that waste most food

Last updated on: October 20, 2011 09:32 IST
Toronto at night.

5. Canada

Food wasted by Canadians: 640 kilogrammes per person per year.

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17 countries that waste most food

Last updated on: October 20, 2011 09:32 IST
Norway's capital, Oslo.

6. Norway

Food wasted by Norwegians: 620 kilogrammes per person per year.

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17 countries that waste most food

Last updated on: October 20, 2011 09:32 IST
A view of Amsterdam.

7. The Netherlands

Food wasted by Dutch: 610 kilogrammes per person per year.

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17 countries that waste most food

Last updated on: October 20, 2011 09:32 IST
Vienna, Austria's capital.

8. Austria

Food wasted by Austrians: 560 kilogrammes per person per year.

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17 countries that waste most food

Last updated on: October 20, 2011 09:32 IST
London, the capital of the United Kingdom.

9. The United Kingdom

Food wasted by Britons: 560 kilogrammes per person per year.

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17 countries that waste most food

Last updated on: October 20, 2011 09:32 IST
Beautiful Ireland.

10. Ireland

Food wasted by Irish: 560 kilogrammes per person per year.

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17 countries that waste most food

Last updated on: October 20, 2011 09:32 IST
A view of Brussels, capital of Belgium.

11. Belgium

Food wasted by Belgians: 550 kilogrammes per person per year.

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17 countries that waste most food

Last updated on: October 20, 2011 09:32 IST
Leipzig at night.

12. Germany

Food wasted by Germans: 540 kilogrammes per person per year.

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17 countries that waste most food

Last updated on: October 20, 2011 09:32 IST
Louvre Museum in Paris.

13. France

Food wasted by French: 510 kilogrammes per person per year.

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17 countries that waste most food

Last updated on: October 20, 2011 09:32 IST
A view of Milan, Italy.

14. Italy

Food wasted by Italians: 500 kilogrammes per person per year.

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17 countries that waste most food

Last updated on: October 20, 2011 09:32 IST
A view of Helsinki, capital of Finland.

15. Finland

Food wasted by Finns: 460 kilogrammes per person per year.

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17 countries that waste most food

Last updated on: October 20, 2011 09:32 IST
A view of Stockholm, capital of Sweden.

16. Sweden

Food wasted by Swedes: 450 kilogrammes per person per year.

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17 countries that waste most food

Last updated on: October 20, 2011 09:32 IST
A view of Tokyo.

17. Japan

Food wasted by Japanese: 410 kilogrammes per person per year.