Food waste and the food industry

Food waste is becoming a topic of concern to many.  Supermarkets generally will not sell food beyond its best before date.  In reality, the food most times is still safe to eat but it might just not be of the same quality.

A new supermarket in Gloucester has been set up to sell food beyond its best before date. Quote from article “Every year people across the country throw away 12 million tonnes of food and drink – most of which could have been eaten.” Councillor Phil McLellan is calling on Gloucester City Council to support EU legislation that could stop supermarkets throwing away food which has reached its best before or sell by date. He wants it to be redistributed to charities instead of being sent to landfill to help reduce food poverty in Gloucestershire. Read full article from here:

Food waste is really a challenge for the food industry. In France it is now illegal for supermarkets to destroy edible food. The move has been welcomed by environmental groups, charities and food organisations, while campaigners are calling for similar laws around the world.  Read full article from here: Should the UK follow the same pattern?