FRENCH GOVERNMENT PREPARES TO BAN PLASTIC PACKAGING FOR FRESH PRODUCE IN THE NEW YEAR

Thu 28 December 2023:

Retailers and producers of fruits and vegetables in France are preparing for the effects of a legislation that forbids the use of single-use plastics, which goes into effect on January 1, as the world gets ready to ring in the new year. The enactment of the law is a step toward France’s goal of being completely free of single-use plastic by 2040.

The use of single-use plastic is still widespread in France, especially in the sale of fresh fruits and vegetables. According to a France24 report, a third of fresh produce grown in the country is sold this way.

The law, aiming to drastically reduce the use of single-use plastic, will ban the use of plastic film and even netting.

“It used to be a miracle product…But as always we didn’t consider consequences,” an elderly woman told France24 while referring to plastic.

Steps taken to reduce or eliminate the use of single-use plastic find support among the public in France.

However, fresh food producers expressed concern about the latest drastic measure and said that they are not ready to bring about such a change.

“We don’t have a miracle product which is affordable and can be put to immediate use instead of plastic. Either the material isn’t totally transparent, or it breaks easily or isn’t moisture-proof,” said Laurent Gardin, President of the Fresh Fruits and Vegetable Producers’ Association, as quoted by France24.

However, the ban is not absolute. According to reports, the government has decided that some products may be marketed in single-use plastic packaging. At the moment, twenty-nine food items are free from this restriction. Early-harvest carrots and potatoes, broccoli, mushrooms, salads, berries, and a few more fresh goods are on the list. Furthermore, things that are deemed fragile would also be exempt from this regulation.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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