09/29/2026
France introduced a rule that changed how large supermarkets handle unsold food. Stores above 400 square metres must create formal agreements with charities or food banks to donate edible food instead of throwing it away.
The 400 square metre limit was chosen because it covers many regular supermarkets while setting a clear responsibility for larger retailers. These stores were required to arrange partnerships with organizations that could collect and distribute the food.
The law moved food donations from a voluntary gesture to a written commitment. Supermarkets had to create official contracts with charities, making sure usable food could reach people who needed it.
Food that can no longer be eaten also cannot simply be sent to landfills. Instead, it must be directed toward options like animal feed, composting, or energy production, reducing waste and giving discarded food another purpose. šā¤ļø
