KEY POINTS

  • Potato farmers see a huge surplus on their production
  • Belgians are urged to eat more fries every week to help reduce the surplus
  • The association of farmers says leftovers can reach 750,000 tons if not arrested

Belgians are now being called on to have an extra portion of fries every week in order to help their potato surplus. Reports revealed that Belgian farmers are now blaming the closure of restaurants for their excessive surplus.

Tons of Leftovers

According to CNN, the potato farmers predict that because of the closures, they have the tendency to reach 750,000 tons of leftovers in potatoes.

Romain Cools, director pf Belgapom, which is the country's association for potato producers, said that Belgians would normally eat fries out of their homes. They are unlike other countries, wherein people would normally eat fries at home as a side dish for their meals.

Belgians encouraged to eat more fries to help surplus
Belgians encouraged to eat more fries to help surplus Pexels

Cools also added that the farmers are at risk of destroying the surplus produce. With many Belgians only eating fries once a week, he initiated the call to action to eat more fries to help in the surplus.

Doubling Fries Intake

According to Cools, if the country would double its intake of fries, it will enable processors to avoid food waste and to process more potatoes and store them in freezers. He added that the freezers are now almost full.

The consumption of fries around the world has taken a hard hit due to the pandemic. A reduction of 40% was seen worldwide, according to the data provided by the group. With restaurant dining often prohibited, the number of consumers of potatoes and potato products like fries also reduced.

When the pandemic hit the food sector, businesses like restaurants shuttered around the world. According to Forbes, while restaurants have remained open for delivery and pick up, people were still wondering whether take out foods can transmit the virus or if it is safe to eat these foods.

Takeout Issues

According to a virologist at the Center for Infection and Immunity at the Columbia Mailman Schoo of Public Health, Dr. Angela L. Rasmussen, there is no evidence that the new coronavirus can be transmitted by eating food. She also added that if there is that possibility, the risk is very low.

Rasmussen stated that heat inactivates the virus. Usually, favorite takeaways like pizza and fries are cooked using very high temperatures.

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