Pigs have historically been used to convert food waste into protein, reducing agricultural waste. Modern systems integrate welfare considerations with sustainability goals.
Food waste feeding systems can provide welfare benefits through dietary variety that enriches behavior and provides enhanced nutrition beyond standard commercial pig feeds. Pigs are naturally motivated to forage through diverse materials, and properly prepared food waste provides both nutritional variety and behavioral enrichment through varied textures and flavors. The welfare case for reinstating safe food waste feeding includes both individual pig welfare benefits and the broader welfare case of reducing food system waste that contributes to environmental harms affecting all animals. The regulatory framework must ensure safety while enabling the welfare and sustainability benefits of this traditional system.