French retailer Carrefour has signed up to a government-backed pledge to cut food waste.

Carrefour’s commitment to the National Pact to Combat Food Waste, which is sponsored by the French Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forests, is the culmination of six months of collaboration and discussions, the company said.

Carrefour emphasised it already works to reduce food waste in France in “numerous ways”. These efforts include tests around the more effective use of best before dates and the reduction of multi-buy promotions in store, as well as a project to establish a smoothie and soup bar that will use unsold fruit and vegetables.

The company has already signed the Retail Agreement on Waste at a European level.