Catalonia wants to take an important step against him food waste. To do this, this Wednesday, March 4, it will approve a bill so that taking the leftover food from the restaurant is mandatory. In this way, the locals will have to give their customers some containers so that they can put the amount of the ordered dish that they have not consumed. The Socialist Party Catalan is the promoter of this main measure that aims to put a stop to the tons of food that end up in the garbage. Failure to comply with these regulations could result in fines of up to $150.000 and there will also be homework for the supermarkets. We tell you here more about this interesting and, in principle, a very useful solution to waste.
First standard in Europe, according to the PSC
Throughout the entire food chain, from the field to the table, where the end consumer enjoys great delicacies, there is a serious problem. Because the United Nations Organization for Food and Agriculture (FAO): a third of the food produced ends up in the container. This data, worldwide, generates a situation that can be perfectly alleviated with efforts from all the agents involved. Among them are both supermarkets and restaurants and, with respect to the latter, the Socialist Party of Catalonia (PSC) you want to take an important step now. The new law is expected to take the leftover food from the restaurant it is obligatorily approved unanimously in the Parliament. It would be the first standard like this in Europeas the Socialists have said.
Adults, reluctant to take leftover food from the restaurant
It will thus affect bars and restaurants, which must have "reusable, compostable or easily recyclable containers" for their guests. They can take home what they have not eaten from their ordered plate, "at no additional cost." Some like him restaurant Cal mingo, riding a ViladecansThey already follow this method so that the rest of the table is not thrown away. Neither is there little waste in each service nor do all customers like to leave the premises with food under their arms or in their purses. Young people and the elderly are not usually reluctant to this post-gastronomic enjoyment task, but the group of adults between 40-60 years do show concern. This is revealed by certain studies with these prejudices that complicate the objective of reduce that food waste.
From the PSC They hope that those thoughts will disappear to solve the problem. This is how the deputy Raúl Moreno: «In March 2016, France tried to regulate that supermarket chains destined food with a near-best-before-date to social entities. That was our starting point, but we were much more ambitious. The socialist has spoken in the past because the political situation in the Catalan community has been complicating its final approval as parliamentary law.
Now, finally, it will see light after another obstacle has been overcome: the lack of concrete data in our country about said waste. From now on, companies, schools, hospitals and residential centers will be forced to plan a "waste reduction plan". After that, a control system annual as close to reality as possible.
Supermarkets, also under the magnifying glass
That idea that hopes to finally prosper take the leftover food from the restaurant with obligation It will not only fall on the hospitality industry. Also under the magnifying glass of the Catalan government will be the supermarkets and department stores. They must establish formulas for the exit of products with a close expiration date. "Through outstanding offers on the shelves or through donations for human, animal or industrial food," he clarified Moreno. The objective is very clear: make the most, throw the least. And for this, the regulations also include for these centers "promoting the sale of products with imperfections", as well as "promoting the consumption of seasonal food." Those who violate this law will face fines of up to 150.000 euros and they could even be punished with termination of your activity license.
But what is still not being punished (and this is complicated from the administration) is the food waste that occurs in Spanish homes. The data of 2018 of the MAP they were devastating with up to 84,2% of people who admitted having thrown products away without having cooked them. Above all, dairy, fruits and vegetables. Compared to the previous year, waste increase was 9%, something that further evidenced a growing problem. Will they get from Catalonia that this measure for take the leftover food from the restaurant ends up being implanted in other regions and with success?
