Ban on plastic packaging in France to take effect from July 1st, 2023

From July 1st 2023, the provisions of a new decree banning the sale of unprocessed fruit and vegetables in plastic packaging will come into force in France. This new decree appeared in the Journal Officiel (Official Gazette) on June 21st, six months after the first draft was overturned by the Conseil d'Etat (Council of State).

France's law against waste and to promote circular economy (Agec) has in principle already banned the retail sale of fresh fruit and vegetables in plastic since January 1st 2022, except when packaged in batches of more than 1.5 kg. From July 1st, this ban will come into force again, with an exception for 29 fruits and vegetables and for ripe fruits, being ‘fruits and vegetables at risk of spoilage when sold loose’.

What are the new provisions?

An earlier decree, dated 8 October 2021, was annulled by the French Council of State on 9 December 2022. That original text provided for a gradual reduction in the list of fruit and vegetables that can be sold in plastic packaging and an exemption from the rule until June 2026 for certain particularly sensitive food products. 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 21st, 2023, lists 29 fruits and vegetables exempt from the ban, in addition to ripe fruit (‘sold to the final consumer when fully ripe’) and sprouted seeds. Elastic bands for grouping different small vegetables (radishes, carrots, herbs) are further allowed.

More information on this legislation? Then check the website of the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality.