WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) is leading a series of new industry partnerships in a bid to reduce food and drink product damage throughout the supply chain, and improve product quality.

Commissioned as part of WRAP’s strategy to minimise food and drink waste, the new projects – including the development of new category-specific innovations in manufacturing, packaging, storage, distribution and retail – are aimed at reducing costs for businesses and consumers, as well as improving quality and reducing environmental impact.

The research studies are being led by Adare, Campden BRI, East Malling Research, Giraffe Innovation and Premier Foods. ASDA, Co-operative, Sainsbury’s, Somerfield and Tesco are each involved with a project.

The findings are expected to generate a number of innovations, and reveal insights into consumer behaviour and drivers. These insights will be utilised in the Love Food Hate Waste campaign to help consumers save money by reducing waste.

“This innovative research, which spans the entire supply chain through to the consumer, will reduce costs and waste for retailers and food manufacturers, says Charlotte Henderson, retail supply chain programme manager at WRAP.“We’ll be sharing these results with industry from late 2009 and throughout 2010.