In the UK, government moves to eliminate sell-by labels as part of an initiative to combat food waste have been welcomed by local food and plant experts.
According to Kent-based East Malling Research, ministers in the country have issued guidance to food producers and retailers, advising them to only use 'best-before' dates rather than 'sell-by' and 'display until' labels.
With fresh produce making up at least 34 per cent of so-called avoidable food waste in the UK – with apples, bananas, lettuce, cabbage, potatoes and tomatoes among the most wasted products – the decision is likely to have a significant impact on the industry.
'Sell-by dates are predominantly used by retailers for stock control, whereas use-by date relate to safety and best before is merely a recommendation,' said Dr Neil Hipps, produce quality centre manager at East Malling Research. 'by removing sell-by dates it reduces confusion and this all helps consumers waste less food.
'Our organisation welcomes any measure that will reduce waste in the home, whether that is fresh produce such as fruit, meats or otherwise,' he added. 'We feel the government's step is one in the right direction however, we also feel there is an opportunity here to help educate consumers, letting them know what each label means.'
Dr Hipps said that the measures would help save a great deal of misunderstanding and waste if consumers used their own judgement about whether fruit and vegetables were fine to consume.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said that some 5m tonnes of edible food and drink, at a combined cost of up to £12bn (€13.7bn), is discarded by UK households each year – equating to £680 (€778) for a single household with children.
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