Italian Law Cuts Food Waste By Cutting Red Tape

04 Aug 2016 --- Italy has adopted a new law to curb food waste with a package of measures aimed at cutting the estimated five million tons of food thrown away in the country every year. The Italian Senate approved the law earlier this week which will make it easier for businesses to donate food to charities and direct it to the most needy by removing previous legal hurdles that were associated with doing this.

Companies faced problems distributing food that was passed its sell by date and many were put off because of the risks and red tape involved; such as going through complex procedures surrounding sanitation and traceability as well as health and safety.

The new law, which was the central theme of last year’s Milano Expo, seeks to remove these sorts of issues and facilitate a passage so businesses can donate unsold food. “This law is one of the most beautiful and practical legacies of Expo Milano 2015,” says Italy’s agriculture minister Maurizio Martina.

“A measure that confirms Italy is leading the fight against food waste, which still has unacceptable proportions. With this rule we get closer and closer to the objective of recovering one million tons of food and giving it to those who need it through the invaluable work of the charitable organizations.”

The bill was supported by 181 senators, with two against and 16 abstentions.

Earlier this year a law in France came into effect that forces supermarkets to donate edible food rather than dump it. Effectively it means trashing food from retailers (of 4,305 sq ft or more) is illegal. Instead companies have to distribute produce to charities like food banks. They also must draw up official contractual arrangements with charities.

At the time, the French politician who spearhead the campaign to ban supermarkets from dumping unsold food urged other European member states and the US to follow suit.

Now, six months later Italy’s new legislation also tries to slash food waste, but does not go as far as France. However, the aim is to redistribute some of the mountains of food that is currently being waste.

“This is a model that makes us unique in Europe and which aims to encourage and facilitate recovery rather than punish those who waste,” adds Martina.

Food waste cost Italy’s business and households more than $13.4 billion annually.

The measures include farmers being able to donate unsold produce without incurring costs, companies being able to record donations by completing a simple monthly form and will pay less waste tax the more they donate.

The government is also spending more than $1 million on research, including findings ways to package food to stop it spoiling whilst it is being transported and a public information campaign to raise awareness.

In addition, there will also be a promotion about the use of “family bags” or “doggy bags” which encourage diners at restaurants and eateries to take home the food they leave. Whilst this is considered normal practice in many countries, it’s not very common in Italy.

by Gaynor Selby