Every day in the UK, tonnes of perfectly edible food are thrown away by supermarkets. Fresh fruit and vegetables, bread, dairy, and packaged goods are binned simply because they are close to a “best before” date, don’t look perfect, or are surplus to profit-driven demand.

At the same time, millions of people across the UK are struggling with rising food costs, relying on food banks, or skipping meals altogether. This is not just wasteful — it is morally wrong, environmentally damaging, and completely avoidable.

Supermarket food waste significantly contributes to climate change. When food ends up in landfill, it releases methane — a greenhouse gas far more harmful than carbon dioxide. We are literally fuelling the climate crisis while people go hungry.

Other countries have already proven that change is possible:

France has made it illegal for supermarkets to destroy edible food. They are required to donate surplus food to charities or food banks.

Italy incentivises businesses to donate excess food through tax reductions and simplified regulations.

South Korea has drastically reduced food waste by enforcing strict waste policies and accountability.

Why is the UK lagging behind?

Voluntary schemes and “goodwill” initiatives are not enough. As long as waste is cheaper than redistribution, supermarkets will continue to throw food away.

We are calling on the UK Government to:

Introduce legislation banning supermarkets from discarding edible food

Make redistribution of surplus food mandatory, not optional

Provide funding and infrastructure to support food banks, charities, and redistribution networks

Hold large retailers accountable through transparent reporting of food waste levels

Clarify and reform date-labelling laws to reduce unnecessary disposal of safe food

Food should feed people, not landfills.

This is not about punishing businesses — it’s about responsibility, fairness, and common sense. If other countries can act boldly and successfully, so can the UK.

We urge the government to take immediate action and turn empty promises into enforceable change.

Sign this petition to demand a food system that values people, protects the planet, and ends needless waste.