How Expiration Dates Are Fueling A Rise in Food & Packaging Waste
Stand up pouches are a popular packaging type due
to their convenient and versatile design. They are available to purchase in
various shapes and sizes and are used for storing products that require a long
shelf life, such as food items. Some have suggested that reusable packaging
like stand up pouches is a possible solution to reducing food waste. But the
reality is that best-before dates play a significant role in the food waste
problem. This article examines the food waste problem and the impact of
different packaging types on the shelf life of products.
The
Issue of Best-Before Dates
Best-before
dates, or expiration dates, are labelled on food products to let customers know
when the product’s quality will start to deteriorate. However, some view
best-before dates as the date to throw food away, even if it appears to be
perfectly fine to consume. Best-before dates are about product quality, not
safety. Even if a product has passed its best-before date, it’s likely that it
is still safe to eat. According to FareShare, over three million tonnes of food
wasted across the food industry is safe to eat at the moment it is thrown
away—enough for a staggering seven billion meals! In the UK, the most commonly
discarded food items are bread, potatoes, cheese, milk and apples.
This
growing problem is further compounded because some consumers are unaware of how
to properly store food items to extend their life. The improper storage of food
can lead to a significantly decreased shelf life, meaning the product is thrown
away even if it hasn’t passed its best-before date. Additionally, the rise of
single-person households means that more food is being wasted in the UK.
Individuals who live alone tend to over-purchase food and subsequently have to
throw spoiled food items away, contributing to the food waste crisis.
The
Commercial Waste Problem
Commercial
food waste is also a big problem, as supermarket expiration dates contribute to
the growing food waste issue. Supermarkets must throw away food that exceeds
its expiry date, leading to a colossal amount of waste. A shocking report by
The Grocer found that UK supermarkets throw away around 100,000 items of edible
food annually. However, supermarkets are liable if a consumer gets sick after
consuming a product sold after its best-before date. Consequently, to avoid
legal problems, supermarkets choose to throw items away. Not only does this
lead to food waste, but also this practice also wastes packaging that could be
reused or recycled.
However,
there is good news on this topic, as some food stores are taking steps to
reduce food and packaging waste. Supermarkets such as Waitrose and Marks and
Spencer are taking steps to reduce waste by removing best-before dates from the
packaging of some food items, such as tomatoes, pears, apples and potatoes.
Waitrose said that the move was part of its wider commitment to help consumers
reduce food waste at home by 2030. Marks and Spencer have also removed
best-before dates from over 300 fruit and vegetable products, covering 85 per
cent of its fresh produce. Similarly, supermarket Morrisons is removing
use-by-dates on 90 per cent of its own-brand milk, and the Co-op is removing
use-by-dates on its own-brand yoghurts to help combat the staggering amount of
waste attributed to throwing away yoghurts that are still safe to eat. £100
million worth of yoghurt is thrown away each year in the UK when it is still
consumable, and the Co-op is hoping that removing use-by dates will reduce the
amount of unnecessary waste.
The
Impact of Packaging on Shelf Life
The
type of packaging used for a product can significantly impact its shelf life.
For example, stand up pouches are commonly used for packaging products that
have a long shelf life. Stand up pouches are made from several layers of
material that protect the product from oxygen, moisture and contaminants,
significantly extending the shelf life of products. This packaging type is
particularly effective at extending the shelf life of food and drink products
such as coffee, snacks, confectionery and pet food, which require a long shelf
life. But that’s not all—stand up pouches also help to reduce food and
packaging waste because they are resealable, allowing people to keep food
fresher for longer and get more use out of the packaging.
Other
types of packaging, such as cardboard boxes or plastic bags, don’t offer the
same level of protection as resealable stand up pouches. For example, plastic
bags are not airtight, leading to a rapid decline in food quality. Similarly,
cardboard boxes are easily damaged, allow air and moisture to penetrate through
the packaging, and as a result, significantly reduce the shelf life of
products.
In
Summary
Best-before
dates play a significant role in the growing food waste issue that desperately
needs to be addressed. The widespread misunderstanding of best-before dates and
substandard food storage have all contributed to the food waste crisis. The
commercial waste problem is also a heavy contributor to food and packaging
waste, as supermarkets throw away food that is safe to eat when it passes its
expiry date to avoid potential legal problems, resulting in millions of tonnes
of waste. However, there is a silver lining, as supermarkets such as Waitrose,
Marks and Spencer, Morrisons and the Co-op are removing use-by dates on some of
their products to reduce unnecessary household waste.
Stand
up pouches are an effective solution as they protect products from external
contaminants, maintain product freshness and are usually made from recyclable
materials. But that’s not all—they also help to reduce food and packaging waste
because they are resealable, allowing people to keep food fresher for much
longer and get more use out of the packaging. By taking steps to educate customers
on responsible food consumption habits and choosing the right packaging, we can
all work together to reduce the amount of food and packaging waste we generate,
which supports a more sustainable future.