Problematic legislation on food waste reduction to become optional in Romania
The legal provisions regulating food waste reduction, such as donating food close to expiration data, will no longer be mandatory but optional for food operators in Romania as of February 2019, according to a decision voted in the Romanian Parliament. Actually, the law was approved in 2016 and should have been enforced as of May 2017, but the authorities decided to suspend it due to its complex and controversial provisions.
The members of Parliament reassessed it and concluded that the law should remain suspended until February next year, and then its provisions should be optional and not compulsory. Also, by then the Government should work on the implementation norms.
Previously the Government even considered cancelling the law due to the strong controversy raised and to difficult-to-apply provisions.
The law provides that food retailers and producers have to donate food which is 3 days away from expiration date to poor families or to sell it to social organizations at around 3% of its price.
Based on: www.romania-insider.com 27 Jun 2018
