Government issues statement on national supermarket policy after thousands call for ban

The petition has received more than 14,000 signatures10:24, 19 Aug 2026The government has issued a statement after thousands called for a ban on supermarkets throwing away edible food.‌A petition launched on February 11, 2026, which has now received nearly 15,000 signatures, urged the Government to require supermarkets to donate surplus food.‌The petition reads: "Everyday, UK supermarkets throw away tonnes of edible food while millions of people rely on food banks to survive. We believe this is wrong, and that food that is safe to eat should not end up in bins when many families, pensioners, and workers are going hungry.‌Click here to get the biggest stories straight to your inbox in our Daily Newsletter"We call for the Government to ban all supermarkets from throwing away all edible food,