France to impose laws on food waste

© industrytap.com

The supermarkets will have to donate all unsold food products to charities and food banks.

Brilio.net/en - Cest bon! Congratulations to France, who earlier this month passed a law forbidding supermarkets from throwing away edible food. While it doesnt sound like a major issue, keep in mind that by comparison in the United States nearly 40% of food produce is wasted as each year.

France is the first country to make such a drastic law like this. The supermarkets will have to donate all unsold food products to charities and food banks. It is estimated that charities will be able to give out millions more free meal each year to people who are unable to feed themselves and their families.

The law was put in place after a grassroots effort from a coalition of shoppers, anti-poverty campaigners and those opposing poverty. The campaign eventually led to a petition that was started by councilor Arash Derambarsh. Campaigners are now hoping similar bills are passed in the European Union.

The petition gained significant momentum after supermarkets were found of intentionally spoiling their waste by dousing the products in bleach. Often times supermarkets would deliberately ruin their food after they tossed it out a day before the fresh produce would expire. Often times families and studients would forage through the dumpsters to find food.

Jacques Bailet, head ofBanques Alimentaires, a network of French food banks, described the law as positive and very important symbolically. He said it would greatly increase an already emerging trend for supermarkets to donate to food banks.

Most importantly, because supermarkets will be obliged to sign a donation deal with charities, well be able to increase the quality and diversity of food we get and distribute, he said. In terms of nutritional balance, we currently have a deficit of meat and a lack of fruit and vegetables. This will hopefully allow us to push for those products.

The fine if a supermarket that is greater than 400 square meters is found of not donating to charity? A penalty of 3,750 (2,900).

France has set a great example for not only the EU, but the rest of the world as well. Food waste is too great of a problem in a world where so many are hunger. Policies aimed at changing the way supermarkets such as Carrefour treat waste products are key in beginning the change.

(brl/tis)