Companies provide clarity on expiration dates

In a joint effort, leading manufacturers and supermarkets, including Unilever, FrieslandCampina, Albert Heijn, Lidl, Jumbo, and other prominent companies, have decided to clarify the labeling of expiration dates on food products. This initiative, part of the Coalition for Expiration Clarity, aims to significantly reduce food waste among consumers. The coalition, supported by Samen Tegen Voedselverspilling, FNLI, Too Good To Go, CBL, and the Voedingscentrum, was launched at the Towards Halving Food Waste in Europe conference.

In the Netherlands, 2 billion kilos of good food are wasted annually, with 24-38% of this waste occurring at the consumer level. A substantial portion of this waste, approximately 10%, is due to confusion over expiration dates. This equates to about 60 million kilos of good food being unnecessarily discarded. This waste represents 115 million meals or 175 million kg of CO2 emissions per year. Toine Timmermans, director of Samen Tegen Voedselverspilling, emphasizes that more is needed to halve food waste by 2030, as outlined in SDG12.3. The Coalition for Expiration Clarity is a step in the right direction, with hopes that more companies will join.

Clearer distinction between THT and TGT

The coalition members aim to better inform consumers about the difference between "Best Before" (THT) and "Use By" (TGT) dates. Research shows that less than half of the Dutch population can accurately explain the difference. By clearly communicating this on packaging, they hope to prevent unnecessary food waste. After the THT date, the quality of the product may decline, but it is often still perfectly edible. Consumers can assess this by looking, smelling, and tasting. The TGT date, on the other hand, is the last day a product can be safely consumed.

From campaign to packaging

Since 2020, a campaign by Samen Tegen Voedselverspilling and the Voedingscentrum has aimed to raise consumer awareness about expiration dates. Research has shown that clearer packaging increases consumer confidence in consuming products past the date. The coalition partners will strengthen this national campaign by introducing the look-smell-taste icon and the hand icon on at least 50% of their packaging.

THT date not sacred

Debora van der Zee-Denekamp from Unilever emphasizes that many products are still good after the THT date. FrieslandCampina adds that with the latest packaging methods, dairy products often stay fresh longer than expected. Bob Mulder from FrieslandCampina reports that within six months, the look-smell-taste logo will appear on Campina products.

No expiration date on certain products

Some products, such as salt, honey, and vinegar, do not require an expiration date, yet they are often labeled with one. The coalition partners will remove these dates and work with Samen Tegen Voedselverspilling to expand the list of exempt products.

Samentegenvoedselverspilling.nl