Claiming Food Ethics as a Pillar of Food Security—Insights from the Romanian Context

Introduction

While food security is classically defined by four pillars—availability, access, utilization, and stability—emerging evidence suggests that these categories are insufficient to address the moral contradictions within modern food systems. In the European Union, over 20% of all food is lost or wasted, while 42 million people are unable to afford a healthy daily meal. Romania mirrors this paradox: high levels of food waste coexist with persistent food insecurity.

Methods

This study adopts a qualitative approach grounded in secondary data analysis from Eurostat, FAO, and Romanian national authorities, along with a conceptual inquiry into food ethics as a missing dimension of food security. It examines the broader legislative and behavioral context in Romania, including national policies and recent regulatory measures aimed at reducing food waste and promoting responsible consumption.

Results

Romania generates over 2.2 million tonnes of food waste per year, with 70% originating from households, retail, and food services. Simultaneously, 14.7% of the population reports being unable to afford a protein-based meal every other day. Only 12% of consumers take ethical considerations into account when discarding food. Romania’s legislation now requires food operators to prioritize donation and reuse, indicating a shift toward institutionalized ethical responsibility.

Conclusions

The current food security framework must be expanded to include ethical responsibility as a core dimension. This includes recognizing the role of food citizenship: the active engagement of individuals and communities in shaping just, sustainable, and inclusive food systems. An “ethical pillar” would enable the assessment of food systems not only by quantity and access but also by fairness, responsibility, and sustainability of use. Romania represents a relevant case study where legal and civic mechanisms converge, pointing to scalable pathways for integrating food ethics and food citizenship into national and European food policies.