Scrap use-by dates, plus other smart solutions to food waste

Before it lands on a European supermarket shelves, an avocado has effectively emitted 1.3kg of carbon into the atmosphere. 60 gallons of water are required to produce the fruit. Despite this, fruit is often thrown away as household waste.

There are many stages in the food supply chain where wastage can occur, but the largest is the household food waste. British households waste approximately 6.7 million tonnes of food each and every year, which is roughly 32 percent of all food purchased.

It is also notoriously difficult for households to manage food waste. StudiesIt is clear that people are often unaware of the environmental consequences of food waste and are not held responsible.

This wastage can be avoided, and the food could have been consumed if it had been properly managed. This has prompted Waitrose to join a growing number of food retailers in removing date labelling, such as the ‘use-by’ or ‘best-before’ date, from some fresh food items in an attempt to reduce household food waste.

Past studies have confirmed the importance of date labelling on consumers’ decision making. Almost 60 per cent of Western European people surveyed said they ‘always’ check date labels while purchasing a food item or preparing a meal.

But, there has been long-standing criticism of the routine use of date labelling. A recent study attributed people’s failure to understand the application of date labelling to an increased likelihood of irrational decision making. Indeed, research has shownConsumers are known to reject edible but expired food up to 56.7 percent of the time.

The Institute of Food TechnologistsAdditionally, date labels may not be an accurate indicator of food safety because post-packaging temperature control is not guaranteed.

It is therefore a promising step to get rid of date labels. Without date labels, often dubious information that may interfere with people’s perception of what is edible, is removed. Instead, they are encouraged and encouraged to taste-check fresh food products.

In the case of an avocado, the advice given to consumers is that when ripe, it should have a “pleasant and slightly sweet aroma”, whilst the skin should be “dark green or brown”. Information is also provided on how an avocado should look, taste, and feel when ‘overripe’. It is hoped people who are better informed will be less likely not to discard food because it has passed its expiration date.

The Waste and Resources Action Programme, (WRAP). predictIf date labels were removed from only apples, bananas and potatoes, but also cucumbers, cucumbers, and broccoli, approximately 50,000 tonnes of food wastage could be avoided annually in the UK.

Should retailers do more?

Despite the growing momentum in date-label removal, industry stakeholders insist that retailers are duty-bound for more.

Some research suggests that retailers should also explore alternative ways of expressing labelling to better meet consumers’ informational needs. Re-scripted date labels such as ‘best before, often good after’ may encourage the acceptance of ‘date-expired’ foods in the knowledge that the item remains safe to consume.

It is also a good way to reduce food waste by encouraging people to buy the right amount of food products. Supermarkets are increasingly under pressure to sell loose goods. WRAP predicts significant waste reductions if this is implemented nationally.

Other solutions for food waste

Long-term awareness campaigns are often key to reducing food waste. It is possible to gradually change ingrained behavior through long-term awareness campaigns. Targeted community outreach programs and commercial campaigns can help to increase understanding of the science behind date labels. They can also be used to encourage people into local food sources and urban farming.

A pilot study by the University of Sussex examined fruit and vegetable yields from 34 urban allotments. Urban growers could grow 1kg per square metre of fruit and vegetable, which is comparable to conventional farms.

If five items had date labels, the UK could avoid 50,000 tonnes of food wastage each year.

Changing people’s perceptions through innovative social and commercial initiatives, also represent increasingly popular solutions to food waste. Downloadable meal planning and smart shopping tipsBoth encourage responsible shopping.

Fresh food box programs that provide precise quantities of ingredients for certain dishes significantly reduce household food waste. The Wuppertal Institute reportsHelloFresh meals produce 51 percent less food waste than other meals.

The removal of date labels is a sign of a growing desire for less food waste. However, it can only be effective if consumers are given better information and encouraged simultaneously to adopt more sustainable shopping habits. Although it is difficult to shift consumer behaviours and dietary habits towards greater sustainability, it’s necessary in order to transition towards greater food waste management responsibility.

Lingxuan Liu is a lecturer in sustainability at Lancaster University, England.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. You can read the original article.

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