France prohibits supermarkets throw out food

The France became the first country in the world to ban supermarkets that play in the trash or destroy the unsold food. Instead, the networks will have to donate the products to charities and food distribution center for the unemployed and homeless, according to the British newspaper The Guardian. The determination comes from a law passed unanimously by the French Senate and provides the destination to be given by supermarkets to foods that are approaching the expiration date.
The approval came after a long campaign promoted by activists against poverty who asked the Government for measures to reduce food waste. The movement began to gain strength in December, when a bill passed by the National Assembly, introduced by former food industry Guillaume Garot.
The new rules require supermarkets to sign a "contract of donation" that will describe how the store will donate leftover food to charities. Those who do not comply with the measure can be fined up to 75 1000 euros (the equivalent of 328 R$ thousand), or even penalized with prison sentence. The antidesperdício rule covers supermarkets that are over 400 square meters of area.
"The next step is to ask the President, Francois Hollande, to put pressure on Jean-Claude Juncker and extend this law to all of Europe," said Arash Derambarsh, Councillor of Courbevoie and mentor of the campaign, with The Guardian. "This battle is just beginning. Now we have to fight the food waste in restaurants, bakeries, school canteens and canteens of companies, "he said.
According to The Guardian, the distribution centers and charities are expecting an increase of 15% in food received – which means 10 million meals delivered annually. The law also provides that these institutes will have to store the food in suitable conditions and distribute "a dignified manner". They have been asking for more volunteers and helpers to assist in the sorting and distribution to the needy.
The British newspaper claims that 7.1 million tonnes of food are wasted each year in France – 67% by consumers themselves, 15% for restaurants and 11% by the shops. In the world, every year, 1.3 billion tons of food is wasted.