French Food Waste Rules are Tougher (illegal!)
Although England has recently brought in more stringent laws for shops and businesses to sort and recycle food waste, these are nowhere near as stringent in France, where food waste is totally illegal.
There is enough food thrown out each year, to feed every hungry person on earth.
Since 2016, it has been illegal for larger supermarkets to throw away edible food. The law pushes retailers to donate unsold items to charities rather than send them to the bin. It is practical, targeted, and sends a message that food has value far beyond its price tag.
Supermarkets in the UK have committed to a paltry ‘pledge to halve food waste by 2030’, despite throwing out around 100,000 tons of edible food each year.
Everyday Tips Inspired by French Practices
- Plan before you buy: Write short lists, shop with meals in mind, and stick to them.
- Know your dates: Use-by is about safety. Best-before is about quality. Trust your senses with best-before foods.
- First in, first out: Put new items at the back of the fridge and cupboard.
- Portion smart: Cook the amount you need, and freeze spare portions the same day.
- Store food well: Keep bread in a bread bin, not the fridge. Put herbs in a glass of water. Use airtight tubs for leftovers.
- Share and swap: If you overbought, offer neighbours some before it spoils.
- Love leftovers: Turn roast veg into soup, stale bread into croutons, and soft fruit into compote.
