FRANCE: Parliament approves mandatory distribution of unsold supermarket food | Progresiv
The French Parliament has unanimously approved a new law that forces supermarkets operating in the country to give away unsold food that is past its sell-by date. The law also forbids stores from destroying such products, as has been done in the past. 
The proposal was initially passed in May, but was annulled by the French constitutional court due to procedural faults. The new approval will see it being passed to the upper house of Parliament, and will see it come into effect as of 13 January 2016.
Parliamentarians described the vote as a “historic victory”, particularly in light of the ongoing negotiations at the COP summit in Paris. Under the new law, individuals can set up associations (subject to approval from the Agriculture Ministry) to collect and distribute food from stores. An estimated 7.1 million tonnes of food is thrown away every year in France, with retailers accounting for 11%. (www.kamcity.com)
