Under Spain’s new food waste law, supermarkets must now sell imperfect fruit and vegetables instead of discarding them
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After years of delays, Spain’s long-awaited food waste law is finally being enforced from Thursday April 3.
First approved in 2021, the law takes direct aim at unnecessary food waste by requiring businesses to rethink what gets thrown away — and how much.
From now on, supermarkets will no longer be allowed to discard imperfect fruit and veg simply because they look a bit misshapen. Instead, they’ll be obliged to offer them for sale — often at a discount — and to promote seasonal, local and organic produce, especially in larger stores.
It’s a move that brings Spain in line with other countries, where ‘wonky’ veg has long been welcomed onto supermarket shelves. The law also requires shops to push food that’s nearing its expiry date, as long as it’s still safe to eat — a big step in tackling the country’s reputation for throwing out tonnes of perfectly edible items.
Restaurants in Spain now required to offer free doggy bags for leftovers
But it’s not just supermarkets feeling the shift. All restaurants, cafés and bars across Spain will now have to give customers the option to take home any leftovers, in what many see as a long-overdue cultural change.
Establishments must provide reusable or recyclable containers free of charge, so diners can carry out uneaten portions. Importantly, they are not allowed to charge for this service.
This rule doesn’t apply to buffets or all-you-can-eat restaurants, where unlimited food makes the logistics trickier. For everyone else, though, it’s now the law — and a welcome nudge to reduce food waste in the hospitality sector.
Spain’s new food waste law includes fines up to €500,000 for non-compliance
The new measures don’t stop here. From April next year, all food-related businesses will be required to have a formal food waste prevention plan in place. That means tracking, managing and reducing what gets thrown away behind the scenes.
Meanwhile, the Spanish government is also working to standardise ‘best before’ labels, to avoid confusion that leads to premature disposal of safe products.
And the consequences of non-compliance? Hefty fines ranging from €2,000 to €500,000, depending on the severity of the violation. Whether you’re a corner café or a supermarket chain, the message is clear: cut your waste — or pay the price.
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