This week the Government of Spain approved the food waste bill, the so-called food loss and waste prevention law. This law was pending approval in the last legislature and now returns with the same content to the Spanish parliament.
Once approved, the Government aims for it to come into force on January 1, 2025. All to give all the agents involved enough time to adapt to the new law. And the objective is ambitious and will imply changes in all participants in the food chain.
In 2022, 65 kg or liters of food or drinks were wasted in Spanish homes alone. Although this figure is high, it is 6,1% better than the previous year's figure, but without a doubt more awareness is needed of the serious problem it represents. Following the consumption trend of Spanish households, waste in fresh products improved but increased in processed products and cooked dishes. On the other hand, it seems that consumption outside the home improved with 11,3% compared to the previous year. These improvements have also been supported by the high price and inflation of products, which on the positive side has helped improve these data.
The law of food waste and its practices
The future law will force companies in the sector to have a prevention plan. All this to draw up strategies and measures that minimize and correct food losses.
In this law, companies that can manage donations for human consumption will play an important role, since this is a main element. Also all those companies that can transform food for people. Secondly, all those that can transform this waste for animal feed, biofuels or compost.
As is becoming common, the hospitality industry must provide free of charge for diners to take food in biodegradable containers. On the other hand, supermarket chains must have a section where imperfect products, with close expiration dates, as well as local, seasonal and organic products can be purchased.
