Common-Sense Model Legislation to Reduce Hunger and Strengthen Long-Term Food Security
The Lazarus model laws are a practical framework to reduce food waste — five concise, actionable policies that make food donation safe, simple, and universally supported by law.
They require no new technology, no massive funding, and no new bureaucracy. All that’s needed is the courage of governments to follow our simple guidelines to remove the barriers that keep surplus food from the hungry.
Exempt humanitarian donations from customs duties and trade taxes.
Customs fees and trade taxes sometimes treat donated food as commerce, blocking relief shipments.
Reform: Exempt all humanitarian food donations from duties and taxes. Result: Faster, cheaper, barrier-free flow of aid across borders.
Streamlined Border Access for Donated Food
Fast-track clearance for verified humanitarian shipments.
Border rules often delay or reject canned, frozen, and cooked foods that are generally low-risk and suitable for safe review.
Reform: Create fast-track clearance for verified humanitarian food shipments. Result: Prevent time-sensitive food from expiring while awaiting approval.
Liability Protection for Donors
Good-faith donors are protected (Good Samaritan model).
Fear of lawsuits discourages generosity.
Reform: Grant Good Samaritan-style protections to everyone acting in good faith—from producers to distributors. Result: Removes legal fear, unleashing large-scale private-sector food donations.
Standardized Labeling Practices
Clear best before and consume by labeling standard reduces waste.
Confusing sell by and best before labels cause safe food to be thrown away.
Reform: Adopt shared best-practice standards that clearly distinguish quality dates from safety dates. Result: Reduces millions of tons of needless waste every year.
Gold Standard Recognition Framework
Voluntary recognition with incentives and public honor.
Some nations choose to lead by example.
Reform:Introduce a voluntary recognition framework that highlights advanced adoption, implementation efforts, and public leadership. Result:Encourages leadership, transparency, and shared best practices.
From Policy to Progress
When these five model laws are adopted together, food donation becomes easier, safer, and more consistent. The Lazarus model laws help turn food donation into a shared best-practice standard—where food flows freely to those who need it most.
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For Policymakers and Partners
The Lazarus Council provides ready-to-use legislative templates for every law—crafted to help parliaments, congresses, and ministries adopt them immediately.
