France is making it illegal for large supermarkets to throw away edible food as part of a series of measures to cut down on waste.

The country’s National Assembly unanimously voted in new laws on Thursday night that will force chains to donate discarded food to charity or allow it to be turned into animal feed, compost or energy.

Guillaume Garot, a Socialist politician who sponsored the bill, said: “It’s scandalous to see bleach being poured into supermarket dustbins along with edible foods.”

France is trying to cut down on food waste (Getty Images)

British supermarkets have also been known to destroy out-of-date food in industrial bins with chemicals, a practice that is now illegal across the Channel. Any shops larger than 400 square metres must sign a contract with a charity to donate edible products.

The French government is working towards its target of halving food waste by 2025 and is also putting the issue on the school curriculum, L'Express reported.

The move has been welcomed by environmental groups, charities and food organisations, while campaigners are calling for similar laws around the world.

There have been several attempted prosecutions in the UK in recent years for people taking discarded food from supermarket bins, including freegans, students and parents.

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