The Food Trade Association (BVLH) does not believe in the initiative of Justice Minister Marco Buschmann (FDP) and Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir (Greens) to ban “containers”. This makes little sense.
The Food Trade Association (BVLH) has sharply criticized an initiative by Justice Minister Marco Buschmann (FDP) and Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir (Greens) to abolish penalties for so-called “containers”. “The food trade association (BVLH) is against the legalization of so-called containers – under whatever conditions,” said BVLH chief executive Franz-Martin Rausch to the editorial network Germany (RND/Wednesday). There is no legal need for action, so rausch continues. “Criminal law and criminal procedure law already offer sufficient opportunities to take account of all conceivable case constellations in individual cases,” he said.
“In addition, food intended for disposal in waste containers poses a potential health hazard,” warned the food trade representative. For example, there could be food from product recalls that may be contaminated with foreign objects such as glass or metal splinters. “You don’t see such dangers in the products,” stressed Rausch.
“Containers is not an effective way to reduce food waste,” he added. In retail, just seven percent of the food losses occurring in Germany were incurred. “If government and politicians want to effectively reduce food waste, food companies and non-profit organizations should be supported in donating more edible food and distributing it to those in need,” said Rausch. “For this, charitable organizations would have to be financially supported in a targeted manner. In addition, adjustments should be made to food and, if necessary, tax law, he demanded.
Containers are the removal of food from supermarket waste containers. Some activists also speak of “food rescue”. So far, containers have been punishable as theft. Justice Minister Marco Buschmann (FDP) and Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir (Greens) are working to ensure that criminal investigations into containers are stopped more frequently in the future. The corresponding regulation should not be made by the Bundestag, but by the federal states.
