France becomes the first country to pass law to tackle food waste

France has been praised by several food banks as well as charities because of its implementation of food law that bans supermarkets from throwing away food items that are nearing their "best before date."

Supermarkets are now required to donate food that they are about to throw away to several food banks and charities that accept such items.

France is the first country to pass a law to tackle food waste. 

According to EPA, food waste is the single largest source of waste in municipal landfills. About 35 million tons of food were thrown away in 2012. As it decomposes in landfills, the waste releases methane and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. 

1 in 6 Americans struggles with hunger and the world wonders how to address the challenge of feeding 9 billion people by 2050.

But the situation in France with supermarket food waste specifically was more extreme because some supermarkets were not only throwing out their unsold edible food, but pouring bleach over it to avoid being sued if people dumpster diving for meals were to get sick. French supermarkets will be barred from that practice under the new law.