An Analysis of Food Waste in a Subsidized Employee Meal Program at a Sri Lankan Secondary Care Hospital

Introduction: In Sri Lanka, a severe economic crisis has exacerbated food insecurity, creating a stark contradiction with significant institutional food waste. This is particularly evident in government hospitals, which provide heavily subsidized meals for employees. While patient meal waste has been studied, employee-related food waste in these subsidized systems remains a critical, unaddressed gap.
Objective: This study aimed to quantify and analyze the patterns of food waste generated by employees in the subsidized meal service of a secondary care government hospital in Sri Lanka.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted over four weeks (28 days) by analyzing routine dietary service records. Data on the quantity of meals ordered (prepared) and actually delivered (collected) were compared to identify discrepancies. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze daily waste patterns, variations by day of the week and menu type, and the subsequent financial impact.
Results: The analysis revealed a consistent pattern of waste, with 85.7% of days showing under-delivery (meals prepared but not collected). The average daily waste was 18.7 meals, representing 12.3% of total preparation. Waste peaked on Fridays (17.5% waste) and for less preferred vegetable-based dishes (15.8% waste). The calculated loss from raw materials alone totaled LKR 135,716 over 28 days, translating to an estimated annual loss of roughly LKR 1.77 million per hospital. This figure excludes other potential cost components.
Conclusion: The subsidized employee meal system generates significant and avoidable waste, driven by a misalignment between preparation and collection patterns, employee menu preferences, and a rigid ordering system. These findings, contextualized by the Theory of Planned Behavior, highlight an urgent need for operational reforms. Implementing flexible ordering, preference-based menu planning, and behavioral interventions is essential to align this vital welfare benefit with fiscal responsibility and ethical resource use amidst Sri Lanka's ongoing economic crisis.