Food waste and “best before” dates
- Many people throw food away because they confuse “best before” with “use by”
- “Best before” is about quality; “use by” is about safety (especially for meat/fish/dairy)
- Benefits of clearer labelling: less waste; lower household costs; reduced environmental impact
- Drawbacks/risks: people may take safety less seriously; inconsistent labels across brands
- Solutions: standardised labels, clearer guidance, and public campaigns on storage and smell/appearance
Changes after clearer labelling campaigns (selected countries/cities)
| Place | Location | Year introduced | Estimated reduction in household food waste | Population |
| Copenhagen | Denmark | 2019 | -12% | 0.8 million |
| Glasgow | United Kingdom | 2020 | -9% | 0.6 million |
| Turin | Italy | 2018 | -8% | 0.9 million |
