The Ministry of Industry and Trade is working on the idea of ​​transferring expired products to those in need

The Ministry of Industry and Trade, together with retailers, is developing legislative solutions for the development of a food-sharing program in Russia – the donation of expired food to people in need, informs TASS with reference to the press service of the department.

“Currently, the ministry is working on relevant legislative decisions together with representatives of the trade industry,” they said.

The ministry did not provide any details, but noted that they take into account the results of the X5 Retail Group and X5 food sharing pilot projects launched in the summer.Magnet“.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Economic Development approved the idea of ​​developing a food sharing program in July. Then in the Ministry of Industry and Trade stressedthat now food-sharing is unprofitable for retailers, since they have to pay VAT, so the tax for this type of operation must be canceled. The ministry noted that the donation of food products with a short shelf life by retail chains to charity will help support those in need and save about 1 million tons of food per year.

The Ministry of Economy, which supported the initiative, said that more than 17 million tons of food waste is generated in Russia every year. The department believes that in addition to the social side of the issue, the initiative is also important from an environmental point of view.

Soon after it X5 Group (manages the retail chains Perekrestok, Pyaterochka, Karusel) launched a pilot foodsharing project in several Pyaterochka stores in Moscow and Chelyabinsk, together with ANO Foodsharing and the Rus Food Fund. “Magnet” on the same day informed on the launch of a similar pilot project in 22 dark stores in Moscow.

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