The "doggy bags" for Spanish restaurant visitors seem more like a political gimmick to gain media attention.

In the future, menus and notices in tapas bars and grills should indicate that guests are welcome to ask for a free bag for their leftovers - which will also be biodegradable.

The Spanish government's plans to reduce the amount of food that ends up in landfills go much further: by 2030 it is to be reduced by 50 percent.

Hans Christian Roessler

Political correspondent for the Iberian Peninsula and the Maghreb based in Madrid.

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According to the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture and Food, around 1.36 million tonnes of food is thrown away every year, that's 31 kilograms per Spaniard, and it costs each household up to 250 euros.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that up to a third of the world's food production is wasted.

According to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, Spain is one of the "pioneers" in Europe.

Spain will be the third EU country to introduce a law against food waste.

"It is a regulatory and awareness-raising law that aims to raise awareness among citizens of the economic, social, environmental and ethical consequences of food waste," says Planas.

France as a role model

After approval by the cabinet of the left-wing minority government, parliament will now deal with the draft.

In early 2023, the “Food Loss and Waste Prevention Act” could come into force, with fines ranging from 2,000 to 500,000 euros (in repeated, serious cases) for those who do not comply with the new regulations.

The law is intended to establish a hierarchy for the use of food.

Human consumption takes precedence.

Manufacturers and retailers should donate products that are still consumable but not sold to social institutions, such as food banks.

Shortly before the expiry date, they are supposed to start lowering the prices.

If this is not possible, the food that can still be eaten must be processed into other products such as juices or jams.

Otherwise they should be used as animal feed.

If the remains are not suitable for humans or animals, the waste should be composted or turned into biogas or other fuel.

Producers and traders are then obliged to draw up a plan for the reuse of food that cannot be offered for sale because it has passed its sell-by date but is still usable.

If supermarkets or catering establishments do not do this, they face fines of up to 60,000 euros.

For consumers, the government is relying on a voluntary change in behavior.

In Spanish households, the most common items that end up in the trash are fruit – especially apples –, vegetables, lettuce, lentils and tortillas.

In 2016, France became the first country in the world to ban supermarkets from throwing away or destroying unsold groceries.

The country aims to reduce food waste by 50 percent by 2025.

Italy has set similar rules.

Instead of fines like in Spain, tax breaks are used there to encourage producers and traders to cooperate.