New Report Demonstrates Strong Foundations for Food Recovery and Waste Prevention in France 

[Paris – June 19, 2026] – The Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic (FLPC) and The Global FoodBanking Network (GFN), in collaboration with the European Food Banks Federation (FEBA), are releasing a new country report on France as part of the Global Food Donation Policy Atlas. The project examines the legal frameworks and national strategies aimed at supporting food recovery and donation, providing up-to-date insights to help countries identify and overcome barriers in preventing food loss and waste.   

This report provides targeted policy recommendations to strengthen food donation practices and food waste policies in France. In recent years, France has developed one of the world’s most well-established food donation and food waste policy frameworks through mandatory food donation requirements, waste recycling obligations, and dedicated funding programs. To build on these achievements, France should expand food donation requirements to more sectors while improving food waste reporting, clarifying date-labelling practices, strengthening food donation safety standards, and enhancing tax incentives for food donations, and exploring liability protection for donors and food recovery organizations. 

“We are very proud to have had the opportunity to contribute to this international study. Our commitment to reducing food waste is a daily one, and this study enables us to identify concrete areas for improvement regarding French laws and regulations. From now on, France must not lose its lead and must continue to be actively involved in the fight against food waste’’, said Jean-Louis Duprez, president of the French Food Banks Federation. 

“France has truly been global pioneer in using law and policy to keep healthy, safe food out of landfills and ensure edible food gets to people’s plates,” said Emily Broad Leib, Director of the Food Law and Policy Clinic at Harvard Law School. “Our analysis shows that with a few strategic steps, such as widening the scope of donation obligations, offering guidance for safe donation, and better aligning incentives for businesses, France can recover even more surplus food, support food recovery organizations, and further reduce the climate impacts of food waste.” 

“France has taken significant steps to build an enabling environment for food donation and food waste prevention, demonstrating how environmental responsibility and social solidarity can reinforce one another. As food insecurity continues to affect millions, stronger food donation policies can help reduce waste, support vulnerable communities, and build more sustainable food systems. This report highlights both the achievements made and the opportunities that remain to further strengthen food recovery for human consumption. The food banking movement stands ready to support policymakers and partners to ensure that food reaches people in need, rather than goes to waste,” said Esteban Arriaga, CEO of the European Food Banks Federation. 

“With ongoing climate, economic, and geopolitical shocks, millions of people face food insecurity across Europe and food banks are stepping up to provide a critical lifeline for those who need it,” said Lisa Moon, president and CEO of The Global FoodBanking Network. “France is already showing leadership with its food donation requirements, and this report provides a roadmap for France to fill in the gaps and strengthen its position as a global leader in food loss and waste prevention.” 

Key Recommendations in France 

1. Tax Incentives: Increase the cap on tax reductions for corporate donors to further expand and encourage food donation. 

1. Standardized Reporting: Establish nation-wide, standardized food loss and waste reporting systems, as required by the Waste Framework Directive. 

1. Expanded Food Donation Requirements: Expand food donation requirements to include new sectors, such as hotels, event venues, or smaller retailers, to increase the volume of food recovery. 

1. Food Safety Guidance and Liability Protection: Provide clear guidance on food safety for donations to support food businesses in meeting their legal requirements to donate surplus food. Explore the opportunity to offer liability protection for both food donors and intermediaries to further encourage the donation of surplus food. 

About the Global Food Donation Policy Atlas 

The Global Food Donation Policy Atlas, a global partnership between FLPC and GFN, identifies national laws and policies that support or hinder food donation and offers recommendations to strengthen legal frameworks and fill policy gaps. The project aims to help governments and stakeholders create enabling environments that promote food recovery, reduce food loss and waste, and support those facing food insecurity. 

Legal guides, policy briefs, and executive summaries for more than 25 countries and the European Union are available at atlas.foodbanking.org. 

About the Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic  

FLPC serves partner organizations and communities by providing guidance on cutting-edge food system legal and policy issues, while engaging law students in the practice of food law and policy. FLPC focuses on increasing access to healthy foods; supporting sustainable food production and food systems; and reducing waste of healthy, wholesome food. For more information, visit www.chlpi.org/FLPC.  

About The Global FoodBanking Network  

Food banking offers a solution to both chronic hunger and the climate crisis. GFN works with partners in more than 50 countries to redirect surplus, healthy food to those who need it. In 2024, our network provided food to more than 38 million people, reducing food waste and creating healthy, resilient communities. We help the food system function as it should: nourishing people and the planet together. Learn more at foodbanking.org. 

About the European Food Banks Federation  

The European Food Banks Federation (FEBA) is a nonprofit organisation that brings together more than 350 food banks and branches, with members in 28 countries in Europe. They recover surplus food, much of which would otherwise be thrown away, and redistribute it to charitable organisations and social centres that take care of people in need. For more information, visit www.eurofoodbank.org. 

Adaobi Ezeokoli
aezeokoli@law.harvard.edu 

James Fredrick
jfredrick@foodbanking.org 

Mariana Santos
m.santos@eurofoodbank.org