From September first, around 250 fresh fruit and vegetable products at UK supermarket chain, Asda, will have their best before dates removed. This comes following similar announcements from Waitrose, Lidl, M&S and Ocado.
Products such as citrus fruits, potatoes, cauliflowers and carrots will see the labels removed and replaced with a code that staff will use to identify quality and freshness.
"Reducing food waste in our business and in customers' homes is a priority and we are always looking at different ways to achieve this. We know for customers this has become more important than ever in the current climate as many families are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and are looking to make savings wherever they can," said Andy Cockshaw, Head of Technical at Asda IPL.
Globally food waste accounts for around 8 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions. In New Zealand, Kiwis send about 157,398 tonnes of food to landfill each year. Of this, oranges, mandarins, apples, bananas, potatoes and lettuce are all among the top ten most wasted foods.
"We are delighted by this development from ASDA to help tackle food waste in our homes. Our research has shown that date labels on fruit and veg are unnecessary – getting rid of them can prevent the equivalent of seven million shopping baskets' worth from our household bins. Storing most fruit and veg products in the fridge, below five degrees, will keep them fresher longer. We know that wasting food feeds climate change and costs us money. The influence of no date label or the right date label on what we use and what we throw away is huge. More supermarkets need to get ahead on food waste by axing date labels from fresh produce, allowing people to use their own judgement," said Catherine David, Director of Collaboration and Change at WRAP.
