On July 1, 2023, the provisions of a new decree banning the sale of unprocessed fruits and vegetables in plastic packaging will take effect in France. This new decree appeared on June 21 in the Journal Officiel (Official Gazette), six months after the first draft was overturned by the Conseil d’Etat (Council of State).
The French law against waste and to promote the circular economy (Agec) has in principle already banned the retail sale of fresh fruits and vegetables in plastic since Jan 1, 2022, except when packaged in batches of more than 1.5 kg. From July 1, this ban will come into effect again, with an exception for 29 fruits and vegetables and for ripe fruits, being “fruits and vegetables with a risk of spoilage when sold loose.”
What are the new provisions?
An earlier decree, dated Oct. 8, 2021, was overturned by the French Council of State on Dec. 9, 2022. That original text provided for a gradual reduction in the list of fruits and vegetables that may be sold in plastic packaging and an exemption from the rule until June 2026 for certain particularly fragile foods. Following this decision by the Council of State, the French government drafted and submitted a new text to the European Commission.
The new text, published on June 21, 2023, lists 29 fruits and vegetables exempt from the ban, in addition to ripe fruits (“sold to the final consumer when fully ripe”) and sprouted seeds. Elastic bands for grouping different small vegetables (radishes, carrots, herbs) are further allowed.
Which fruits and vegetables will be exempt from the plastic packaging ban from July 1, 2023?
- Endive, asparagus, broccoli, mushrooms, early potatoes, early carrots and baby carrots.
- Lettuce, corn salad, young shoots, aromatic herbs, spinach, sorrel edible flowers and bean sprouts.
- Cherries, cranberries, lingonberries and gooseberries.
- Ripe fruit, i.e. fruit sold to the final consumer when fully ripe and indicated on the package.
- Sprouted seeds.
- Raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, red/black currants, elderberries, mulberries and kiwai.
Which species are no longer exempt?
About 10 fruits and vegetables are no longer exempt from the plastic packaging ban, including ribbed tomatoes, elongated tomatoes from the “heart segment,” cherry or cocktail tomatoes, early onions, early turnips, Brussels sprouts, green beans, grapes, peaches, nectarines and apricots.
Stock of plastic containers to be used until December 31, 2023
The ban will actually take effect in France on July 1, 2023. However, in order to still be able to use stocks of packaging, fruits and vegetables that are not exempt may still be sold in packaging made entirely or partially of plastic until Dec. 31, 2023.
Source: Agroberichtenbuitenland
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