Recently, the French Parliament passed a groundbreaking law that prohibits supermarkets from discarding unsold food. Instead, these establishments are now required to donate any food they would typically throw away to charitable organizations. This initiative is not only commendable but should be adopted globally. However, consumers also have an essential role in combatting food waste.
It is deeply troubling that a staggering one in six Americans experiences hunger while perfectly edible food is carelessly tossed into landfills. The fact that a third of the world’s food supply is wasted is alarming. We have the capacity to eliminate hunger, yet we continue to fill landfills instead of stomachs.
In the United States, a significant portion of food waste is due to confusing expiration dates. Many people—often even those employed in supermarkets—struggle to understand the nuances of “sell by,” “best by,” and “use before” labels. According to Market Watch, Dana Gunders, a scientist with the NRDC food and agriculture program, explains that “sell by” dates are intended for retailers, not consumers, and do not necessarily indicate that food is unfit for consumption. Misunderstandings around these dates lead to unnecessary waste; for instance, how many times have you hesitated to give your child yogurt that was a few days past its expiration date, despite it appearing perfectly fine?
The World Bank estimates that North America wastes nearly half of its food—42%—often due to deliberate decisions to discard it. Supermarkets contribute significantly to this issue, frequently destroying unsold food by pouring bleach over it before disposal. This practice is outrageous, as it denies those in need the chance to access edible food. A former food minister in France remarked that it is scandalous to see bleach mixed with consumable goods in dumpsters.
France’s new legislation mandates that food deemed unsellable but still safe to eat must be donated, with larger stores required to formalize agreements with charities by the following year or face hefty fines or even jail time. Unsuitable food can be repurposed for livestock feed or composting. With supermarkets accounting for 10% of food waste, implementing regulations on their disposal practices is a crucial step forward.
As consumers, we can do our part by purchasing only what we need, eating leftovers, and making informed decisions about food quality rather than relying on arbitrary expiration dates. Composting can also provide insight into how much food we discard and the financial implications of such waste.
It is a staggering fact that we produce enough food to supply every individual on the planet with 2,700 calories daily. Yet, 842 million people still go to bed hungry. This is simply unacceptable.
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Summary
The alarming disparity between hunger and food waste in the U.S. highlights the need for systemic change. With one in six Americans facing food insecurity while 40% of food is discarded, initiatives like France’s law to donate unsold food are crucial. Consumer awareness around expiration dates and better purchasing habits can significantly mitigate this issue. We possess the means to address hunger, yet we must collectively act to ensure that food reaches those in need rather than ending up in landfills.