A comprehensive analysis of food waste through historical context: A bibliometric study from 2019 to 2024

Food waste is a critical issue with implications for consumers, environmental sustainability, and supply chain dynamics. The primary objective of this research was to conduct a bibliometric analysis of recent literature on food waste, using Web of Science Core Collection and Scopus to identify gaps for future research projects especially on the field of food waste and sustainable food waste management. This approach allowed for a comprehensive assessment of the performance and efficiency of scientific research in this area. The use of both databases was a distinctive aspect of the study, as previous research has typically relied on a single database. The study analysed publication trends between 2019 and 2024, focusing on highly cited documents, research areas, and keyword co-occurrence patterns, highlighting the growing relevance and importance of sustainability. In particular, there has been a significant increase in research published in environmental sciences, engineering, and energy fuels since 2020, reflecting the growing recognition of the role of food waste in reducing environmental footprints and enhancing energy efficiency and sustainability. The keyword analysis showed that between 2021 and 2023, the dominant themes were circular economy, sustainable development, development goals, supply chains, and life cycle assessments. More recent publications have shifted towards topics such as artificial intelligence, Sustainable Development Goals, empirical analysis, energy transition and green marketing. The research shows that the hospitality industry plays a crucial role in the sustainable food waste management, with effective strategies involving management practices, employee training, consumer behavior, and digital technologies offering both environmental and economic benefits. Further research is needed to explore the influence of cultural, institutional, emotional, and demographic factors, as well as the potential of circular economy models and platform-based solutions to enhance waste reduction and sustainability in different contexts. • A bibliometric analysis on food waste was performed using WOS and Scopus databases • The bibliometric analysis highlighted the global distribution of publications, with the UK, Italy, Spain, China, and the US leading in terms of output • Between 2021 and 2023, the dominant themes were circular economy, sustainable development, development goals, supply chains, and life cycle assessments • Recent publications moved towards sustainable development and bibliometric analysis, environmental sustainability and responsibility, circular business and economy. • The integration of circular economy approach into sustainability goals is a key strategy for reducing waste and promoting resource efficiency