A new law that aims to cut down on food waste has entered into force in Italy, after it was approved by the Upper House of Parliament.
Bureaucracy has been reduced, so it will now be easier for businesses to donate food directly to the needy, including food has passed its sell-by date, without risking sanctions for health and safety violations.
Donors can expect generous reductions in their municipal waste taxes, in line with how much they give away.
However, contrary to France, those who do not donate food will not be sanctioned.
For consumers, the law will promote the use of so-called 'family bags' or containers for restaurants, so that customers can take their unfinished food home.
Italy's Agriculture Ministry will invest €1 million per year until 2018, to research new ways to package foods in a bid to protect them better in transit and boost their shelf life.
In addition, the Ministry will provide €2 million in financing for the purchase of food to be allocated to the needy.
Italian farmers’ association Coldiretti estimates that food waste costs the economy €12.5 billion a year, with consumers responsible for 54%, restaurants for 21%, and distribution channels for another 15%.
© 2016 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Branislav Pekic. To subscribe to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine, click here.
