The French government has banned supermarkets across the country from throwing away unsold food, requiring them to donate the food to charities and food banks.

A new law, which was passed unanimously by the French senate on Wednesday, also banned supermarkets from ‘spoiling’ unsold food by pouring bleach or through other means. The new law applies to any supermarket that is 400 square meters in size or larger. Supermarkets violating the law face fines of up to 3,750 euros.

Activists and charity organisations have praised the new law and urged similar application across the European Union.

In Egypt, there have been calls in the past for more restaurants and supermarkets to donate unsold or untouched food to charities and food banks.

The Egyptian Food Bank has made a number of partnerships that have seen restaurants donate food instead of dumping it. However, with almost half the population living in poverty, there have been calls to expand such partnerships or introduce a law that would require donation to charity.

What are your thoughts? Should Egypt introduce a similar law?

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