‘Look-Smell-Taste’ now featured on 3,500 products

Exactly one year after the launch of the Shelf Life Coalition, over 3,500 products now carry the ‘Look-Smell-Taste’ icons and the hand symbol. The coalition was initiated by Samen Tegen Voedselverspilling to reduce unnecessary food waste. New partners have joined, and the number of labelled products continues to rise every month.

Each year, the Netherlands wastes 1.6 billion kilos of edible food. A third of this waste happens in households, with 10% caused by confusion about expiry dates. According to Toine Timmermans, director of the foundation, this equals 60 million kilos of food and 175 million kilos of CO₂ annually: “We’re pleased to see these icons appearing on more products from an increasing number of Coalition members.”

Confusion between THT and TGT

Consumers often don’t understand the difference between the ‘Best Before’ date (THT) and the ‘Use By’ date (TGT). Fewer than half can explain it correctly. After the THT date, a product may lose some quality, but it’s often still perfectly fine to eat. The advice is to trust your senses. TGT, on the other hand, is the final date a product can be safely consumed and is marked with a hand icon.

New partners joining in

Companies like Grand’Italia and Danone have recently joined the initiative. Grand’Italia states: “Even after the THT date, our products are often still perfectly fine to consume.” Danone adds that especially unopened and properly stored dairy products are usually still suitable after the THT date: “Trust your senses.” Coalition members have committed to including the icons on at least 50% of their packaging.

Samentegenvoedselverspilling.nl