Spanish law aims to cut food waste, faces inspection challenges
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In Spain, large food businesses must now implement plans to prevent and reduce food waste, according to a new law that took effect April 3, 2026. The law requires companies with over 1,300 square meters of space to identify points where food is lost and establish measures to minimize waste, prioritizing human consumption and donation to social organizations.
The legislation received support from social groups and businesses involved in the food chain.
Juan Ángel Martín, director general of Comerso, believes the law will bring order to a previously unregulated area and the threat of sanctions may encourage compliance. However, Nuria de Pedraza of the Association of Consumer Goods Companies notes that regional governments will decide how to carry out inspections, potentially leading to inconsistent enforcement. Anna Peña, a spokesperson for the Rezero NGO, points out that similar policies have often been limited by the willingness of those involved to follow through.
Despite these concerns, industry representatives like Ignacio García from Asedas, a distribution association, report that their sector already has a strong donation culture and expects no problems adapting to the law. The new rules establish a tiered system of fines, ranging from warnings and up to 2,000 euros for minor offenses, to as much as 500,000 euros for repeated serious violations.
In 2024, Spain wasted 1.125 million kilograms of food, or 24.38 kilograms per person, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. This new law comes a decade after similar legislation was adopted in neighboring countries like France.
