Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

France bans plastic packaging for fruit and vegetables

France will ban plastic packaging for nearly all fruit and vegetables from January 2022 in a bid to reduce plastic waste, the environment ministry said on Monday.

Implementing a February 2020 law, the government published a list of about 30 fruits and vegetables that will have to be sold without plastic packaging from Jan. 1. The list includes leeks, aubergines and round tomatoes as well as apples, bananas and oranges.


"We use an outrageous amount of single-use plastic in our daily lives. The circular economy law aims at cutting back the use of throwaway plastic and boost its substitution by other materials or reusable and recyclable packaging," the ministry said in a statement.

It estimated that 37 per cent of fruit and vegetables are sold with packaging and expects that the measure will prevent more than one billion useless plastic packaging items per year.

French fruit sellers federation president Francois Roch said switching to cardboard will be difficult in such a short time.

"Also, selling loose produce is complicated as many customers touch the fruit and people do not want their fruit to be touched by other customers," she said.

The packaging ban is part of a multi-year government programme to phase out plastic. From 2021, France banned plastic straws, cups and cutlery, as well as styrofoam takeaway boxes.

Cut fruits and a limited number of delicate fruits and vegetables can still be sold with plastic packaging for now but that will be phased out by end June 2026.

Plastic packaging will be banned by end June 2023 for cherry tomatoes, green beans and peaches, and by end 2024 for endives, asparagus, mushrooms, some salads and herbs as well as cherries.

End June 2026, raspberries, strawberries and other delicate berries must be sold without plastic.

From 2022, public spaces must provide water fountains to reduce the use of plastic bottles; press and publicity publications must be shipped without plastic wrapping, while fast-food restaurants can no longer offer free plastic toys.

From January 2023, France will also ban throwaway crockery in fast-food restaurant for meals consumed on-site.

More for you

Mary Glindon

Mary Glindon

Labour MP cautions proposed vaping tax could hinder smoking cessation efforts

Labour MP Mary Glindon has cautioned that a new excise tax on vaping could discourage smokers from switching to less harmful alternatives.

Glindon, who also chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Responsible Vaping, said the chancellor’s proposed tax, which will add £2.20 per 10ml of vaping liquid when it goes into effect on October 1, 2026, will “hurt working people”, who rely on vapes to quit smoking.

Keep ReadingShow less
Liverpool c-store license revoked after grave accusations

iStock image

Liverpool c-store license revoked after grave accusations

The alcohol license of Liverpool convenience store, which had become the “go to” location for illicit sales, has been revoked after a 13-year-old girl had to be taken to hospital after getting drunk on vodka she had purchased unchallenged from the store.

According to local media reports, members of Liverpool Council’s licensing and gambling sub-committee have taken a dim view of the levels of “wholesale breaches and criminal offences” at Old Swan Express on Prescot Road, stripping owner Sinnathamby Arumugasamy of his licence, despite him only gaining permission to trade at the former angling store in February of this year.

Keep ReadingShow less
Minor dip in footfall ahead of Golden Quarter
Hollie Adams/Getty Images
Getty Images

Minor dip in footfall ahead of Golden Quarter

October’s footfall figures declined marginally as compared to last year, shows latest industry data, highlighting concerns for a policy environment that supports growth and investment.

According to data by British Retail Consortium (BRC), total UK footfall decreased by 1.1 per cent in October (YoY), down from +3.3 per cent in September. High Street footfall decreased by 3.6 per cent in October (YoY), down from +0.9 per cent in September.

Keep ReadingShow less
SPAR supports spooktacular activity at Preston primary school

SPAR supports spooktacular activity at Preston primary school

Children at Ashton Primary School in Preston got into the spirit of Halloween with some spooktacular support from SPAR.

Thirty children in Reception class took part in a cookery session to concoct a healthy pumpkin and carrot soup with ingredients supplied by James Hall & Co. Ltd. SPAR recipe cards were also provided to children to take home alongside additional pumpkins, carrots, and onions, enabling them to recreate their bubbling broth together with their parents.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kepak Group acquires Summit Foods to expand convenience offer

Brian Farrell, CEO of Kepak Foods

Kepak Group acquires Summit Foods to expand convenience offer

Kepak Group has announced the acquisition of Summit Foods, a UK-based company specialising in chilled and frozen convenience foods. With annual revenues of £24 million and a team of 200 employees, Summit Foods is an established player in the UK’s convenience food sector. The acquisition, is part of Kepak’s strategic plan to further grow its food business organically and via acquisition.

“We are pleased to welcome Summit Foods to the Kepak Group," said Brian Farrell, CEO of Kepak Foods. "This acquisition aligns with our growth strategy, developing our presence in the UK convenience and out-of-home food channels. Summit's portfolio of fresher for longer sandwiches, chilled and frozen meals & snacks complements our existing micro snacking offerings and allows us to deepen our presence across these markets”.

Keep ReadingShow less