Green chemistry revolutionizing sustainability in the food industry: A comprehensive review and call to action

Conventional chemical methods often involve hazardous materials, high energy consumption, and significant waste generation. Industries face growing pressure to align with sustainable development goals, especially in corporate sustainability. Green chemistry addresses these challenges by promoting sustainable practices in chemical design and production. The food industry, a major contributor to global solid waste, is gradually adopting green chemistry principles, including green catalytic reagents and energy-efficient designs. This review explores green chemistry's transformative impact across agriculture, food processing, and waste management, highlighting the urgent need for the food industry to adopt eco-friendly practices. It advocates for using recyclable materials and integrating green chemistry consistently to reduce waste and foster sustainable food production. The review calls for collective action from the food industry, regulatory bodies, and stakeholders to prioritize and implement green chemistry, envisioning a more sustainable future through continuous and collaborative efforts. Graphical abstract illustrating the role of Green Chemistry in promoting sustainability through food waste reduction and valorization, life cycle assessment, consumer awareness and education, regulatory and policy considerations, and sustainable agriculture and farming. The icons represent essential practices like recycling and waste management, emphasizing the integration of green chemistry principles across the food system to enhance environmental outcomes. [Display omitted] •Green chemistry improves farming, processing, food safety, and nutrition with bio-based options.•The review addresses global food waste challenges in the supply chain.•It explores benefits of turning food waste into valuable products.•Using recyclable materials and eco-friendly practices is crucial for sustainability.•Importance of consumer awareness and collaboration among government, industry, and research institutions.