03/11/2026
Ten years ago, France made history when it became the first country to combat food waste by making it illegal for supermarkets to destroy food still fit for consumption. Instead, retailers must donate unsold food that's reached its sell-by date.
A report in 2018 revealed the law's success. The number of large supermarkets partnered with charities increased dramatically to 90 percent, and food banks reported a 20 to 30 percent increase in food donations.
Still, the initiative has not been without its critics. Many claim the legislation issued an unfunded mandate, forcing both supermarkets and charities to store and transport food they don't have infrastructure for. Others point out that while supermarkets are a highly visible example of food waste, they are not the primary culprit. The vast majority of food waste occurs in restaurants, on farms and in food processing plants.
