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Knowledge4Policy
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  • Publication | 2025

Food recovery and redistribution: A practical guide for favourable policies and legal frameworks in Europe and Central Asia

Global Food and Nutrition Security

This report provides guiding principles and recommendations for policymakers to use in analysing and reviewing their legal and policy frameworks in order to facilitate food recovery and redistribution as integral elements of broader strategies to prevent and reduce food loss and waste. Its main objective is to support the implementation of policies, as well as legal and regulatory actions, that can reduce food loss and waste along food supply chains.By identifying key components that make food recovery and redistribution feasible and safe – such as sound food safety practices and effective coordination among food supply chain actors – the report underscores the importance of ensuring the safety of recovered and redistributed food and of providing consumers with clear information.The report presents practical examples of policy measures and legislative adjustments implemented by European Union countries, highlighting the strong regional interest in European Union-led initiatives. Based on these examples, it offers concrete recommendations to help countries strengthen food recovery and redistribution efforts and create enabling legal and policy frameworks.