UK Government Rejects Ban on Supermarket Food Waste

The Government of the United Kingdom has rejected a petition signed by nearly 15,000 people calling for a legal ban on supermarkets throwing away edible food. The petition urged the government to mandate that supermarkets donate surplus food, including items with minor imperfections or those approaching best-before dates, to food banks and local charities to address environmental damage and hunger.

In response, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs stated that while the government wants to prevent food waste during a cost-of-living crisis, businesses must prioritize food safety standards. The department emphasized that food cannot legally be redistributed if it is no longer guaranteed safe for consumption.

Officials pointed to the existing Food and Drink Waste Hierarchy, which prioritizes the prevention of waste followed by the redistribution of edible food to those in need. The government also highlighted a national programme to redistribute surplus food announced by the previous Prime Minister on May 13 as part of a broader effort to end avoidable food waste across the supply chain.