France bans plastic packaging for fruits and vegetables

France is taking an important step in the fight against plastic pollution with the implementation of a new decree banning the sale of unprocessed fruits and vegetables in plastic packaging. The decree, which will take effect July 1, 2023, was published in the Journal Officiel (Official Gazette) on June 21, 2023, six months after the original draft was overturned by the Conseil d'Etat (Council of State).

The new decree builds on the French law against waste and to promote the circular economy (Agec), which has in principle already banned the retail sale of fresh fruits and vegetables in plastic since Jan. 1, 2022, with the exception of batches over 1.5 kg. From July 1, this ban will come into effect again, with an exception for 29 fruits and vegetables, as well as ripe fruits that have a risk of spoilage when sold loose.

Exempted fruits and vegetables

The new provisions of the decree include a list of exempt fruits and vegetables, including endive, asparagus, broccoli, mushrooms, early potatoes, early carrots, baby carrots, lettuce, corn salad, young shoots, aromatic herbs spinach, sorrel, edible flowers, bean sprouts, cherries, cranberries, lingonberries, gooseberries, ripe fruits, sprouted seeds, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, red currants, elderberries, mulberries, red currants, black currants and kiwai.

Not exempt

In contrast, about 10 fruits and vegetables are no longer exempt from the plastic packaging ban. This includes fluted tomatoes, elongated tomatoes from the "heart segment," cherry or cocktail tomatoes, early onions, early turnips, Brussels sprouts, green beans, grapes, peaches, nectarines and apricots, among others.

The ban also stipulates that stocks of plastic packaging still in place may be used until Dec. 31, 2023. This allows fruits and vegetables that are not exempt to still be sold in packaging made entirely or partially of plastic.

With this ban on plastic packaging, France is taking an important step toward a more sustainable future and contributing to global efforts to reduce plastic pollution.

Agroberichtenbuitenland.nl