Addressing Food Waste Through Circular Feeding Solutions
The UN Environment Programme’s Food Waste Index Report 2024 revealed that 1.05 billion tonnes of food were wasted in 2022, equating to one-fifth of global food production. To combat this, the United Nations (UN) prioritizes food waste reduction as part of its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting responsible consumption and production.
A circular food system offers a practical solution by minimizing waste and maximizing resource use. Unavoidable food losses and waste that are unfit for human consumption can be repurposed into animal feed, reducing reliance on conventional feed sources while supporting sustainable agriculture.
Korea’s Leadership in Safe and Regulated Food Waste Recycling
Countries like Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan lead the way in upcycling food waste into animal feed, backed by strict regulatory policies and advanced processing infrastructure.
South Korea’s Waste Management Act (WMA), enacted in 2005, banned landfill disposal of food waste, leading to nationwide food waste separation and recycling initiatives. There is about 36% of collected food waste is converted into animal feed, ensuring safe and efficient recycling through government-regulated facilities.
Ensuring Biosafety in Food Waste-Based Feed
Biosafety concerns regarding food waste in animal feed are addressed through strict heat treatment regulations. In Korea, registered “Ecofeed” manufacturers must heat-treat food waste containing meat for at least 30 minutes at 70°C, with 80°C being the common industry practice. The feedstock biomass is then dried to a moisture content below 10%, ensuring a safe and stable Dried Food Meal (DFM).
Under the Feed Management Act (FMA), all DFM products undergo quality control testing (Article 30, FMA) to ensure they meet strict safety standards and contain no harmful contaminants.
DFM: A Smart Alternative to Corn-Soybean Meal Diets
Using food waste in animal diets is not a new concept. It offers a nutrient-rich and digestible alternative to conventional feeds. Westendorf and Dong (1997) reported that protein digestibility in food waste-based diets (88.2%) was higher than in traditional corn-soybean meal diets (84.3%), although nitrogen retention rates remained similar. Additionally, Myer et al. found that pepsin digestibility and available lysine levels in dried food waste were moderately higher than in corn but slightly lower than in soybean meal. These findings highlight DFM’s potential as a flexible and efficient ingredient, providing a viable substitute for conventional feed components while enhancing feed formulation options and reducing reliance on volatile commodity prices.
Why Incorporate DFM?
Dried Food Meal (DFM) provides a cost-effective, sustainable alternative to partially replace conventional corn-soybean meal diets. By using DFM, you can:
✔ Stretch your existing feed supply over a longer period
✔ Gain flexibility in feed formulation
✔ Reduce dependence on volatile feed commodity prices
✔ Improve cost efficiency dan increase profit margins
Choosing a Dependable Source of DFM
One challenge in using food waste-based feed is nutrient variability, making source selection crucial. Lam Tak partners with FMA-registered Korean facilities that meet ISO 22000:2018 (food safety management) and ISO 9001:2015 (quality management) standards, ensuring consistent, high-quality DFM.
from supermarkets and convenience stores
from restaurants and food services
from farms due to market oversupply
These carefully regulated sources guarantee nutritional consistency and biosafety compliance, while also reducing food waste.
DFM Advantages:
✅ Nutrient-Rich – High in proteins, carbohydrates, fats, fiber, and minerals, with low salt content
✅ Cost-Saving – Reduces overall feed expenses and enhances feed formulation flexibility
✅ Sustainable – Supports eco-friendly livestock farming by closing the food production loop—an initiative that can be effectively integrated into your marketing story.
✅ Eco-Conscious – Lowers the environmental footprint of food production
Appealing feed aroma with excellent palatability
Fine, dry brown meal for easy mixing and storage
Low impurities, ensuring high safety standards
Discover More About DFM at VIV Asia 2025!
Want to learn more? Visit us at VIV Asia 2025 in Bangkok from March 12–14, 2025! Stop by our booth 3-4181 to see how DFM can enhance your feed production.
For product specifications or inquiries, fill out our Contact Form here.
Read the previous blog here: Transforming Food Waste into Nutritious Animal Feed: Dried Food Meal
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