27.09.2011 - According to Wrap, 5.3m tonnes of still edible food is thrown away each year, costing the average family £680/year or more than £50/month. Research shows confusing food labeling is a significant factor of this trend.

Therefore packaging should only carry ‘used by’ or ‘best before’ dates, while ‘sell by’ and ‘display until’ labels currently used by supermarkets will be removed to stop consumers from throwing away good food.

‘Used by’ should only be used if food could be unsafe to eat after that date, while ‘best before’ dates should show the product is no longer at its best but is still safe to consume, the advice states. Food likely to require a ‘use by’ date include soft cheese, smoked fish and ready meals, while biscuits, jams, pickles, crisps and tinned foods will only need a “best before’ label.

Uk’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs produced the guidance in consultation with the food industry, consumer groups, regulators, and Wrap.
Hence, labeling the food/products properly supermarkets will help consumers avoid the food waste.

Prewaste provides good practices on how to reduce food waste from the source.

Source: The Guardian - UK