Should food portions be smaller to tackle climate change? 

Roughly 10% of all global emissions comes from food waste and a quarter of that figure is linked back to restaurants. 

By comparison, the aviation sector contributes 2.5% of global emissions and is constantly criticised by environmentalists for its large carbon footprint. 

Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue has said large portions in restaurants is something that “really annoys me” and instead suggested chefs should just give seconds to those who ask. 

Minister of Agriculture Charlie McConalogue arrives for an EU agriculture and fisheries ministers meeting in Luxembourg. Francois Walschaerts/Pool via REUTERS

Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast, presenter Shane Coleman said portions have “undoubtedly” got bigger in recent years. 

“A beigel in the mid 80s was three inches in diameter, today it’s six inches,” he said.

“Muffins are over twice the size 30 years ago. Do you remember what a scone used to look like? Now it looks like genetically modified they’re so huge, it’s ridiculous.

“The food waste thing is really important but it’s also really important from an obesity point of view - and I say this speaking from personal experience. 

“My big failing when it comes to food is portions, I eat too much. 

“I was in a restaurant last night in a bar and the portion I felt when it arrived [was] a little bit small and she actually said, ‘You know what? That’s the amount you should be eating’ - and it was perfectly fine, it was delicious.” 

Today is National #StopFoodWasteDay and @Stop_Food_Waste wants to know - Do you #KnowYourUseBys?

Passing the ‘use-by’ date is the main reason people throw out food.

Simple actions to use or freeze food before its use-by will help us all #StopFoodWaste: https://t.co/8seFZ1kUhr pic.twitter.com/hNvYqpBT0W

— EPA Ireland (@EPAIreland) March 1, 2022

Shane said he is determined to reduce his own personal food waste and suggested the Government should consider becoming more proactive on this issue.  

“Portions have definitely got bigger, it’s leading to more waste, it’s also leading to more waist,” he said. 

“Every time you turn on the TV, there’s a public information campaign.

“This might be something that we need a public information campaign on, to just educate people that this is something they should think about.”

Ireland’s carbon emissions are forecast to have dropped by 4% last year.

Main image: Fresh food waste.