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05th Feb 2016

French Supermarkets Are No Longer Allowed Bin Unsold Food

It is the first country in the world to make the practice illegal.

Ellen Tannam

Food waste is one of the biggest problems in the modern world, with millions of tonnes of food being disposed of every year, but now France has taken a huge step in combatting the issue.

The Guardian reports that the law will make it easier for manufacturers to give surplus food directly to food banks, with a 15% increase in food meaning a whopping 10 million more meals will be served to those in need.

Supermarkets will also be banned from deliberately spoiling food in order to stop it being eaten by people foraging in bins for sustenance. Some supermarkets had been locking food in warehouses before collection by refuse trucks.

The next step now is to try and get this law passed all across the European Union, which could see many more deprived people and families able to feed themselves.

The food will have to be given out by an organised food bank or centre, rather than via street handouts.

As well as helping those in need, reduction of food waste will aid the environment by reducing carbon dioxide emissions significantly.

Lead Image via Getty