Starting in February, the largest grocery stores must offer food to Élélmiszermentő Központ Nonprofit Kft. (ÉMK) at least 48 hours before the end of their quality preservation period, the Parliament decided by amending the law regulating the food chain on Tuesday.
The change aimed at reducing food waste was adopted by the parliament in an exceptional procedure at the suggestion of the government with 138 votes in favor and 1 vote against. The regulations do not apply to foods with a shelf-life of less than 48 hours.
The goal is to prevent food waste. The amendment affects retailers whose annual net sales exceed HUF 100 billion, so Tesco, Auchan, Spar, Lidl, Aldi and Penny Market are most likely affected by the issue.
The affected stores can also donate the food to charitable organizations. The aim of the legislation is to ensure that goods close to their expiration date go to those in need and not to the trash. The justification for the law is that: according to the estimate of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, about a third of the food produced goes to waste, even though their production requires significant resources. According to an EU survey, more than 5 percent of food waste is generated in trade.
The affected stores must prepare a food waste reduction plan, which they must submit to the food rescue center. They must submit their first such plan by May 31, 2022. They must also appoint a food rescue officer. Anyone who does not prepare such a plan or who exceeds the planned level of food waste by more than 2 percent annually can be fined.
The retail tax of the largest grocery stores will also increase from 2.5 percent to 2.7 percent of sales revenue. The law will enter into force on February 1, 2022.
Source: Mandiner / MTI
Image: philanthropicum.com/illustration
