On 12 June 2020, the Commission has published a Notice providing guidance on food safety management systems for food retail activities, including food donations. This initiative aims to support small businesses, such as butchers, bakeries, groceries and ice-cream shops, in their implementation of EU rules to ensure the safe production of food sold to the consumer. The guidance is based on the 2017 and the 2018 EFSA scientific opinions on hazard analysis approaches for certain small retail establishments, including (for 2018) food donations.

Building on the EU food donation guidelines, the guidance further facilitates food donation by making recommendations on some simple additional good hygiene practices that contribute to ensuring the safe redistribution of surplus food.

As demand for food donation increased due to Covid-19, this new guidance provides timely support for all actors involved. The Notice contributes to food waste reduction and promotes food security by facilitating safe food donation practices and contributes in this way to the objectives of the Farm to Fork Strategy.