Food waste in homes has decreased by 13.5% since the pandemic

“We start from a few positive points, as Planas emphasized; for example, since the pandemic, Spanish households decreased by 13.5% Food waste, and between 2021 and 2022 alone, that is, according to the latest data we have, this reduction was 6.1%,” the minister added, adding that surveys conducted by the ministry showed that: almost a third families, A precise 29% guarantee that they no longer produce food waste, or even if they do, it is very low. “This is 3% more than in 2021,” he emphasized.

The new law will require companies that have direct contact with consumers to establish a company. agreements with non-profit organizations for donation of excess. Planas reminded: “Businesses with a surface area over 1,300 square meters are required by law to have such an agreement.”bars, restaurants and taverns “They will have to offer customers the ability to take home any leftover food or drink they have not consumed.”

1,300 million liters and kilos of food are lost annually in Spain, and wasted food production accounts for 10% of greenhouse gas emissions on the planet. With the equivalent of 250 cubic kilometers of water lost and subsequently wasted for food production across Europe alone, For example, the Sau reservoir can be filled a total of 1,515 times.It is one of the most affected by the effects of the drought in Catalonia.

One year transaction

The norm that existed in the Senate last term will now depend on a new parliamentary process starting, but the Government plans to do so. will come into force next January 1, 2025Stating that all operators can thus comply with the standard, Planas said: Although it is a normative law that imposes obligations, “This is, first of all, a very pedagogical law” to prevent food waste, he continued. “Nothing is thrown at you here,” he continued, a slogan the ministry is currently running a campaign for and is supported across four platforms. columns: economic efficiencyHE Environmental Impact, social justice and one moral and ethical component“because there are approximately 800 million people in the world who face hunger or malnutrition.”

The future standard creates a hierarchy of priorities for the destination of food, which inevitably becomes food waste, giving maximum priority to human consumption. donating or redistributing food. The likelihood of these foods at a later stage transformed into new products such as juices or jams. When they are no longer suitable for human consumption, their preference for use will increase. to feed animal, feed manufacturing or convert biofuels.

‘ugly’ products

The bill also identifies good practice measures for both the Administration and the different links in the food chain. Planas mentioned the possibility of business organizations having, for example: Sales lines for products considered ‘ugly’defective or unaesthetic, consumption of seasonal productsthat are local or ecological and promote their sale products with expiration date or will end soon.

The Minister of Agriculture reminded that the European Union is also working in this field with a regulation that may be approved in the coming months and will allow food waste in the country to be reduced by 2030. 10% in the industry And 30% in retail, restaurants and homes. Some autonomous communities, such as Catalonia in Spain, already have their own laws limiting food waste, and distribution of these laws could begin in 2015. First period of 2024.

HE sanctions regime The proposed state law makes it a serious offense not to have a plan to prevent food loss and waste, with fines ranging from 2,001 to 60,000 euros and up to 500,000 euros in case of recidivism.