European Parliament calls for halving EU food waste by 2030
The European Parliament called on Tuesday for halving the European Union's annual food waste of 88 million tonnes by 2030.
In the non-binding resolution adopted with an overwhelming majority, EU lawmakers urged member states and the European Commission to cut down on wasted food by making food donations easier and clarifying food labels to citizens.
The parliament urged cutting food waste, which amounts to 173 kilograms per capita each year, by 30 per cent by 2025 and by 50 per cent by 2030.
The resolution recommends clarifying and educating citizens on the precise meaning of "best before" and "use by" labels - the former means that the product can still be eaten, even though, it might not be of the best quality; while the latter means that the food is no longer safe to eat.
According to an EU survey, more than half of consumers don't know the meaning of those labels.
EU lawmakers also recommend authorizing tax exemptions for food donations and using EU funds to finance the collection, storage and distribution of such donations. (dpa)
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Topic world Food safety
Food safety is at the heart of the food and beverage industry. It ensures that the food we eat every day is not only nutritious, but also free of harmful contaminants. From field to plate, the industry monitors and regulates every step of the process with strict quality controls, advanced testing methods and continuous research.
Topic world Food safety
Food safety is at the heart of the food and beverage industry. It ensures that the food we eat every day is not only nutritious, but also free of harmful contaminants. From field to plate, the industry monitors and regulates every step of the process with strict quality controls, advanced testing methods and continuous research.