Ban supermarkets from throwing away food and drink that is safe to consume

Background

We want the Government to introduce legislation requiring supermarkets to prevent edible food & drink from being discarded as waste. Unsold items that are safe to consume should be discounted, redistributed or donated, with disposal permitted only where they are unsafe or otherwise unfit for use.

Additional details

Perfectly edible food and drink should feed people, not become waste. France has introduced laws preventing retailers from deliberately making unsold edible food unfit for use and requiring certain retailers to offer donation agreements to charities. We want a similar system, requiring supermarkets to prevent surplus, reduce prices and redistribute or donate safe unsold items. The law should include penalties, while protecting food safety and allowing disposal when products are unsafe.

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