The French government has pledged to cut down on food wastage by passing a new law which stops supermarkets throwing away unsold food - instead the food will go to charities and other uses like making animal feed.

The idea was proposed by the Socialist deputy Guillaume Garot, a former food minister, "It’s scandalous to see bleach being poured into supermarket dustbins along with edible foods” he argues.

Supermarkets will not be allowed to deliberately spoil food, while bigger supermarkets which cover more than 400 sq m are now obliged to sign contracts with charities before July of next year.

Companies who fail to comply with the law could face fines of up to €75,000 - bosses could even be jailed for up to two years.

The move will come with other measures including new educational programmes about food waste in schools and businesses.

It is estimated that the average person in France throws away 20-30kg of food each year - worth an accumulative €20bn.

The Fédération du Commerce et de la Distribution, which represents big supermarkets, is not happy with these new rules, it says "The law is wrong in both target and intent, given the big stores represent only 5 percent of food waste but have these new obligations."

Jacques Creyssel, head of the organisation continues, "They are already the pre-eminent food donors, with more than 4,500 stores having signed agreements with aid groups."