The publication of ISO 20001:2026 gives the global food industry its first internationally recognised management system standard dedicated specifically to food loss and waste.
Developed by experts from more than 30 countries, with input from UK environmental action organisation WRAP, the standard provides a consistent framework through which businesses can identify food loss and waste, establish objectives, monitor performance and demonstrate continual improvement. [1]
Its introduction matters because food loss and waste has often been addressed through separate targets, projects or reporting commitments. ISO 20001 creates the potential for a more systematic approach, embedded within the way a business operates and capable of complementing existing environmental and food-safety management systems.
It applies across the food supply chain, from primary producers and ingredient suppliers to manufacturers, logistics providers, retailers and foodservice businesses. For food manufacturers, it provides a framework for understanding where food loss and waste occurs and for putting clearer processes, responsibilities and evidence around the response. [2]
The next challenge is turning that structure into practical outcomes.
Once a business has identified where food loss and waste occurs, it must still decide how any resulting surplus food can be managed. That may require better process control, an alternative route to people, technical product development, access to another market or, where higher-value routes are not viable, a responsible recovery solution.
No single capability can address every scenario.
“The next step is delivery. Once an organisation has identified where food loss and waste occurs, it needs access to the right capabilities and partners to manage any resulting surplus and improve the outcome.
Alex Keogh, Managing Director, SugaRich GroupZRO brings together five routes delivered through a combination of ZRO capabilities, wider group expertise and established partnerships:
- Prevent: SugaTrak uses data and operational insight to help identify and reduce surplus at source.
- Redistribute: Company Shop Group provides an established route through which suitable surplus food can reach people.
- Reformulate: ZRO Group Ltd develops food-to-food solutions that can transform suitable ingredients and products into new food opportunities.
- Repurpose: SugaRich provides established expertise in converting suitable food materials into animal-feed ingredients when food-to-food routes are no longer viable.
- Recover: Mobius supports the responsible management, measurement and recovery of remaining materials where other routes have been exhausted.
This connected model of capabilities and partnerships does not replace the management framework set out by ISO 20001, nor does working with ZRO demonstrate conformity with the standard. It can, however, help businesses respond to what their own systems uncover: identifying practical routes, connecting the right expertise and building evidence around the resulting outcomes.
The involvement of WRAP in the development of ISO 20001 is particularly significant. WRAP has spent more than two decades working with businesses on food waste measurement and reduction, and the new standard builds on established approaches rather than starting again. WRAP describes its introduction as an opportunity to make systematic monitoring and management a more established part of business operations. [1]
For the food industry, the value of ISO 20001 will ultimately be determined by whether it changes decisions and outcomes.
The standard gives organisations a common framework and language. The opportunity now is to connect that framework with the operational capabilities, partnerships and routes needed to move food loss and waste from identification to action.
Sources
[1] British Standards Institution (2026), New international standard will help tackle food loss and waste, 30 September 2026 (accessed 5 October 2026).
[2] International Organization for Standardization (2026), ISO 20001:2026 Food loss and waste management system — Requirements for the prevention and minimization of food loss and waste across the food supply chain, published 29 September 2026 (accessed 5 October 2026).
