With many of the major UK supermarket chains removing the best before dates from their fresh fruit and vegetable products, a study in Canada has shown that the Commonwealth Country is much less inclined to the idea.
A research report from Agri-Food Analytics Lab and Angus Reid discovered that only 27 percent of respondents strongly agreed with removing best-before dates on fresh produce items. However, 68 percent of Canadians said they would be willing to buy produce without an expiry date. Quebec saw the highest level of support for the change, followed by Saskatchewan. Alberta saw the lowest level of support.
"In light of these results, it is obvious that the food safety culture in Canada is quite strong. Unlike for grocers in Europe, removing best before dates will likely be viewed as an unpopular gesture, at least for now," said Dr Syl vain Charlebois, Director of the AgriFood Analytics Lab.
When checking food freshness, 28 percent of Canadians look for mould, 25 percent rely on best before dates, 20 percent rely on smell, and 17 percent rely on the appearance of the food product itself.
