Spain’s new food waste law has officially come into effect with restaurants and supermarkets that fail to comply facing fines of up to €500,000.
The one-year grace period has now expired, meaning businesses must fully implement a series of measures aimed at slashing the amount of food thrown away.
What changes from now
Under the law, larger businesses, including restaurants and supermarkets over 1,300m2, must introduce a clear system for dealing with surplus food.
At the top of that hierarchy is simple: food should first go to people.
That means prioritising donations to charities and food banks wherever possible, before considering alternatives like animal feed or composting.
Companies must also formalise agreements with social organisations to ensure surplus food is redistributed instead of wasted.
Leftovers must be available
One of the most visible changes for customers is already in force.
Restaurants must allow diners to take home uneaten food at no extra cost, and clearly inform them of that right on menus or in the establishment.
The only exception applies to buffet-style services, where food is unlimited.
Discounts and smaller portions encouraged
While not mandatory, the law also encourages supermarkets to discount products close to expiry and restaurants to offer flexible portion sizes.
The aim is to reduce waste before it happens and to not just deal with it afterwards.
Who is affected?
The strictest requirements apply to larger businesses, but all actors in the food chain are expected to take steps to reduce waste.
Smaller companies, including microbusinesses with fewer than 10 employees or establishments under 1,300m2, are exempt from some of the more complex obligations, such as formal waste prevention plans.
Heavy fines for rule breakers
Minor breaches, such as failing to inform customers about takeaway options, can result in fines of around €2,000.
More serious violations, like not having a waste prevention plan or failing to donate surplus food, can lead to penalties of up to €60,000.
And in the most severe cases, particularly repeat offences, fines can reach as high as €500,000.
The law aims to cut food waste by 50% per person in retail and consumption by 2030, while also reducing losses across the supply chain.
Across the EU, each person wastes around 140kg of food per year. In Spain, the figure is lower but still significant, sitting at around 28kg per person annually.
Experts say the law has already helped raise awareness but warn that enforcement and clearer guidelines will be key.
