The FOod Commodity composition for Waste qUantification and valorization opportunitieS (FOWCUS) Dataset

Abstract

This study introduces FOWCUS, a novel dataset detailing the composition of about 280 food commodities, categorized into various groups including vegetables, fruits, nuts, eggs, livestock, seafood, cereals, sugar, vegetable oils, stimulants, pulses, and root vegetables. Unlike previous works focusing on the chemical composition of food products, this dataset extends to quantitatively capture the amounts of products and by-products that could potentially contribute to the generation of avoidable, potentially avoidable, and unavoidable food waste across the food supply chain. By providing a detailed breakdown of the different components of food products, this dataset aids in identifying potential revalorization opportunities for unavoidable food waste via, for instance, feedstocks for biochemical, biomaterial, and bioenergy applications. It also supports the quantification of food waste generation across the food supply chain, which is crucial for food waste studies and the monitoring of food waste reduction targets at the national and international levels. Indexed according to the FAOSTAT commodity typology, it serves as a valuable resource for researchers and policymakers in managing food waste and valorizing by-products.