Food Waste Reduction Targets Become Law Across the EU

Binding Targets on Food Waste

The European Union has passed legislation setting legally binding food waste reduction targets for all member states. The law requires a 50% reduction in food waste at retail and consumer levels by 2030, with interim milestones and mandatory reporting.

The Scale of the Problem

Roughly one third of all food produced globally is wasted. In the EU alone, an estimated 88 million tonnes of food are wasted each year, costing €143 billion and generating 6% of the bloc's total greenhouse gas emissions. Addressing food waste is one of the most effective climate actions available.

What the Law Requires

Member states must implement national food waste prevention programmes, mandate food waste reporting for large retailers and food businesses, and create incentives for food donation. Several countries, including France and Italy, already have food donation laws that prevent supermarkets from throwing away unsold edible food.

The Ripple Effect

The EU's move is expected to influence policy worldwide. The US, China, and Japan are all developing food waste strategies, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals include a target to halve food waste by 2030. Binding legislation, rather than voluntary commitments, is increasingly seen as the only way to achieve the necessary reductions.