Faqs

Food loss to the discarding of edible food during the initial stages of the food supply chain, for example during farming, storage, transportation, and processing.

Food waste, on the other hand, refers to the discarding of ‘edible’ food during the final stages of the food supply chain, for example retail distribution, food services (at hotels, restaurants, cafes and canteens) and household consumption.

Reducing food loss and waste is important because:

• It saves resources like water, energy and labor.
• It reduces environmental impact, such as greenhouse gas emissions.
• It ensures more food is available for those who need it, improving food security for everyone.

This study is important as it will provide the first clear picture of how much food is being lost or wasted in the UAE and identify hotspots of food loss and waste across the UAE’s national food value chain. These findings will help:

• Understand the current volume and value of food loss and waste in the UAE
• Establish baseline indices tracking food loss and waste in the UAE.
• Create policies to reduce waste and improve food security.
• Conserve valuable resources, including water and energy, used to produce food.
• Build a more sustainable future for everyone by conserving food for those who need it.

The study is led by ne’ma – the UAE National Food Loss & Waste Initiative in collaboration with the Emirates Foundation, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, and the Presidential Court. Data collectors who will visit locations for data collection are trained professionals and can be identified by official ne’ma uniforms and IDs.

Your participation helps:

• Understand where food is being wasted.
• Support policies to reduce waste and save resources.
• Protect the environment and ensure food security for future generations. Every person’s input counts toward making the UAE a zero-waste nation.

Participants will:

• Provide food loss and waste samples to assigned data collectors.
• Provide simple information about their food use and waste habits.
• Share reports, logs and diaries on food waste (for businesses).
• Answer questions about what food is discarded and why.
• Share insights about = leftovers are managed, stored and food shopping habits.

Participation is easy and will not take much of your time.

Data collectors will visit homes, food-related businesses, farms, and other food value chain actors to record food waste levels and gather information. You might also be asked to fill out a short survey.

From households: food waste will be collected through pre-distributed food waste collection bags that are to be used to segregate food waste by household members themselves, as per the instructions of data collectors.

From non-households, data on food waste will be collected primarily through logs, records, and diaries maintained by entities on volume and reasons for food waste. Such information will be supported by direct waste measurement where data collectors will inspect composition of food waste for select samples (wherever applicable).

Your data will be combined with others to create a national picture of food loss and waste. Individual responses are private and will only be used for research purposes. Data collected will be treated with strict confidentiality and will be discarded upon completion of the study.

For more information on the data protection protocol in place throughout this project, please refer to the ‘Data Protection Protocol’

Authorized data collectors will:

• Wear official ne’ma-branded uniforms that include the ne’ma logo.
• Carry photo identification issued by ne’ma, clearly showing their name and role.
• Provide official documentation explaining the study and its purpose.

Data collectors will always show their ID and study materials during the data collection visit.

All data collectors are:

• Trained professionals vetted by ne’ma’s data collection partners.
• Guided by strict protocols to ensure privacy and security.
• Monitored throughout the process to ensure compliance with ethical and professional standards.

If someone claims to be a data collector but does not have proper identification or does not follow study procedures:

• Politely decline participation.
• Report the incident to ne’ma immediately at +971 50 896 8285.

We take such matters seriously and will address them promptly.

The first phase of data collection (pilot study) will commence on February 22nd, 2025 and end on March 7th, 2025. The first phase of the study is planned for 14-days.

The tentative dates for the second phase of data collection (main study) are Sep 08th, 2025 to Sep 21st, 2025. Phase 2 dates, once confirmed, will be communicated to registered participants.

Data collection through direct measurement of waste will take 15-20 minutes as the data collection agent will visually inspect waste bags, weight them and record information.

Data collection through documentation of business logs and diaries will also take 15-20 minutes as the data collection agent will record relevant data available from the participant’s information systems or logs (applicable for non-individual participants).

If you're participating in a household survey, any supplementary activities, such as keeping a food log, , will be simple and easy to manage.

Enrolling is simple! Please follow these steps:

Step 1: Review Study Details

Visit https://nema.ae/en/baseline and review information regarding the study and data protection policies

Step 2: Register Your Interest

Sign up for participation using the RSVP link (included in the participation form).

Step 3: Start Making a Difference

A member of the study team will contact you with next steps.

That’s great! Sharing your habits can help others learn how to reduce waste. Even if you think you don’t waste food, tracking your habits might reveal areas for improvement.

You will contribute towards creating a food-secure, waste-free UAE. The findings of the study will also support future programs, policies, and awareness campaigns that will benefit households and businesses.

No major changes are needed. Our data collection process is designed to fit seamlessly into your normal routine, whether it is responding to basic survey questions, maintaining food waste records/logs, and/or segregating food waste into different coloured bags as per the data collector’s instructions.

The study respects cultural values and traditions related to food. Special care is taken to ensure the process aligns with the UAE’s rich cultural heritage while promoting sustainable practices.

No financial compensation is provided, but participants will have the satisfaction of contributing to a national initiative that benefits everyone. You’ll also gain insights on how to reduce food waste in your farms, business, and/or homes.

Yes, the results of the study will be made public once the study is complete. Participants will be informed about the outcomes and how their contributions have made a difference.

Participation is voluntary. If you need to withdraw for any reason, you can contact the study team, and your information will no longer be included.