In an extensive survey, the CLCV listed the packaging of more than 250 food products and criticized the excessive presence of plastic in relation to the amount of food.
The alarm bell is ringing. While the anti-waste law, passed in 2020, sets targets to reduce packaging -and in particular to limit the presence of plastic- around food products, the consumer association CLCV (consumption, housing, living environment) conducted a comprehensive survey of 252 products in nine stores between February and mid-May 2022. First lesson, some packages are too big compared to the amount of food. In other words, these packets contain too much empty space. Certain cereals, seeds, nuts, various cookies, acras or even various brands of sausages are the subject of this study. Several packages of bacon, granola, or even almonds would contain up to 55% void. The CLCV even demonstrates its data through images of the empty space of food products.
read alsoThe essential fight against food waste
Also, many products would be surrounded by packaging. “Useless“, according to the CLCV: “Plastic film around cans of tea, chocolates or vegetables, cardboard sleeve around yoghurts, compotes or pizzas“. Daunat or Sodebo salads, Super U pizzas, compotes or certain teas are thus indicated for a container that is too large. Like certain cheeses or certain batches of cans”overloaded“.”From 1Ahem January 2022, a wide selection of fruits and vegetables must be sold without plastic packaging or labels in stores. (…). However, in April 2022, packaged fruits and vegetables are still very numerous on the shelves.details the investigation. These are, for example, bell peppers, carrots, pot-au-feu vegetables, Chinese cabbage, grapefruit, sweet potatoes or courgettes.
“Strengthen classification systems»
Although alternatives such as packaging in cardboard trays or paper bags are welcomed. The consumer association also makes some recommendations: “It is possible for the consumer to adopt good practices: favor products without overpackaging, avoid portioned packaging, think about bulk and reuse packaging whenever possible.” The CLCV also indicates that certain plastics cannot be recycled. while asking “To the public administrations that reinforce the classification systems in public places to capture nomadic packaging and that they launch educational actions so that consumers improve collection.”