Instead of throwing away perfectly good food, supermarkets must donate it to people in need.
Globally, over 1 billion tonnes of food are wasted each year, even as many people struggle to put meals on the table. That staggering figure represents roughly one-fifth of all food produced worldwide, meaning that a significant share of what’s grown, processed, and transported never actually gets consumed. Fortunately, France decided to act, becoming the first country to do so.
In 2016, France became the first in the world to ban supermarkets from throwing away or destroying unsold food. Instead, stores are legally required to donate surplus food to charities and food banks, helping ensure that perfectly edible food reaches people who need it. Supermarkets that fail to comply can reportedly face fines, giving retailers a strong incentive to find better uses for excess stock.
