From July 1, 2023, a new decree banning selling unprocessed fruit and vegetables in plastic packages comes into force in France. So reports the Dutch Agroberichten Buitenland. This new regulation appeared on June 21 in the Journal Officiel (Government Gazette), six months after the Conseil d'Etat (State Council) vetoed the first draft.
The French anti-waste law promotes a circular economy (Agec). In principle, it banned the retail sale of fresh fruits and vegetables in plastic since January 1, 2022, except when sold in packaging over 1.5 kg. From July 1, this ban will come into effect again, except for 29 fruits and vegetables and ripe fruits. These are "fruits and vegetables at risk of spoilage when sold loose."
What is this new regulation?
On December 9, 2022, the French State Council overturned an earlier rule from October 8, 2021. That original text wanted the list of fruits and vegetables that may be sold in plastic packaging to be gradually reduced. It also called for certain particularly sensitive foods to be exempt until June 2026. Following this decision, the French government drafted and submitted a new text to the European Commission.
This new text, published on June 21, 2023, includes a list of 29 fruits and vegetables exempt from the ban. That is besides ripe fruit ("sold to consumers when fully ripe") and sprouted seeds. Elastic bands for bundling different small vegetables (radishes, carrots, herbs) are also allowed.
Which fruits and vegetables are exempt from the July 1, 2023, plastic packaging ban?
- Endive, asparagus, broccoli, mushrooms, early potatoes, early carrots, and baby carrots.
- Lettuce, lambs lettuce, young shoots, aromatic herbs, spinach, sorrel, edible flowers, and bean sprouts.
- Cherries, cranberries, lingonberries, and gooseberries.
- Ripe fruit, i.e., fruit sold to people fully ripe and thus indicated on the package.
- Sprouted seeds.
- Raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, redcurrants, elderberries, mulberries, redcurrants, blackcurrants, and kiwi berries.
Which are no longer exempt?
About ten fruit and vegetable varieties are no longer excluded from this ban. They include fluted and elongated tomatoes from the "heart segment," cherry or cocktail tomatoes, early onions, early turnips, Brussels sprouts, green beans, grapes, peaches, nectarines, and apricots.
Plastic packaging stock can be used until December 31, 2023
The ban comes into effect on July 1, 2023. However, to use up packaging stocks, non-exempt fruits and vegetables may still be sold in wholly or partially made packaging until December 31, 2023.
Source: Agroberichten Buitenland