Introduction
Food industries have been required to adopt an approach to fight against food waste, including carrying out a diagnosis.
When doing so, companies should implement actions to fight food waste in the following order of priority:
- 1° preventing food waste,
- 2° donating unsold food,
- 3° transforming unsold food for animal feed and
- 4° upcycling through composting or methanization.
Any approach adopted should take into account the fact that destroying waste should be a last resort option.
It is furthermore forbidden to make unsold products unfit for consumption if they were edible.
Risks or effects
In the event of non-compliance with these obligations, a fine of up to 0.1% of pre-tax turnover for the last financial year is applicable. The amount of the fine will be proportionate to the seriousness of the offence, and in particular to the number and volume of products concerned by the breach. An additional penalty for posting or publicizing the decision may also be imposed.
Conclusion
If you’re involved in the food chain industry, you need to anticipate food waste and to implement appropriate procedures. And why not talk about it in your general terms and conditions, so you can discuss the subject with your customers?
Article by Loi & Stratégies (France).
