Law No. 166 on the donation and distribution of food and pharmaceutical products for purposes of social solidarity and food waste prevention.

The objective of this law is to fight against food waste. It lays down provisions reorganizing the regulatory framework on food donation by simplifying, harmonizing and fostering the process. It especially establishes the food recovery and redistribution of surplus food for the most deprived in Italy as a priority. The law adresses the difference between the “use by” and “best before” dates, and clarifies that food products may be donated even if their “best before” date has passed. It also provides other useful tools such as the opportunity to donate confiscated food products, the “family bag”, the application by local authorities of a reduction coefficient on waste tax in order to further encourage businesses to donate surplus food.