This study is the first attempt to identify categories of food waste and contributing factors while exploring variations among Mexican households. An online questionnaire was distributed through social media, yielding 127 valid responses, with a predominance of female participants (79%). The study population, classified as high-income, comprised young adults (~40 years old). Results indicate that the categories of fresh and non-fresh vegetables and fruits showed the highest waste frequencies (78% and 58%, respectively), although small waste portions were reported. Conversely, eggs, cereals (boxed), and snacks were among the food categories generating the least waste, accounting for less than 10% of the amount produced and were discarded in small amounts, as demonstrated by correlation analysis. The findings provide the first exploratory evidence on household food waste patterns in Mexico, identifying fresh fruits and vegetables as priority categories for intervention. Although these products were the most frequently discarded, the reported quantities were generally small. Higher socioeconomic status was consistently associated with greater food waste, particularly for vegetables, while older age was associated with lower fruit waste. These results provide a basis for developing targeted food waste reduction strategies, public policies, and future research in the Mexican context.
