According to a 2011 report, in Europe and North America each person wasted 95-115kg of otherwise edible food annually, whereas in sub-Saharan Africa and south and south-east Asia the equivalent waste was just 6-11kg.
However, in the developing world it is claimed 'food loss' is an issue, where educational and logistical issues create obstacles for farmers to bring their produce to market before the rot sets in, according to the global director of Christian charity, Feed the Hungry.
"It's a shame that we have food waste in much of the developed world, but the real crux of the matter is food loss.
"Basically what happens is on a small but substantial farming scale, once a farmer raises crop it's difficult to get that crop to market," said Stefan Radelich, executive director, Feed the Hungry.
"Because of lack of infrastructure, problems with transportation, the fact that markets need to be developed. Unfortunately in some of the parts of Africa where Feed the Hungry works we see up to 40 or 50 percent of food loss," added Mr Radelich.
If the amount of food wasted around the world were reduced by 25 per cent there would be enough food to feed everyone on the planet, according to the UN.
In developed countries, consumers and retailers throw away between 30 per cent and 40 per cent of all food purchased, whereas in poorer countries only 5 per cent to 16 per cent of food is thrown away.
In the UK, 15m tonnes of food is lost or wasted each year. British consumers throw away 4.2m tonnes of edible food each year, equivalent in weight to 86 QE2s. This means that 11.7 per cent of all food purchased is avoidably wasted, at an estimated cost to each family of £700 a year, or almost £60 a month.
Stefan Radelich, executive director, Feed the Hungry speaking to Premier's Des Busteed on the News Hour:
