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Sainsbury’s has announced plans to replace use-by dates with best-before dates on its own-brand milk range as part of its efforts to combat food waste in the UK. This change in labelling will be introduced in the new year and completed by the end of February 2024. The decision comes as research from The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) reveals that milk ranks as the third most wasted food item in the UK, with over 490 million pints discarded annually, often due to surpassing its use-by date. Sainsbury’s becomes the largest UK retailer to make this switch.

Catherine David, Director of Behaviour Change & Business Programmes at WRAP, highlights the significance of this change in reducing food waste: “This change will help reduce food waste in our homes. Wasting food feeds climate change and costs money – with the average family spending over £730 annually on good food, which ends up in the bin.” WRAP’s research indicates that applying the appropriate date label to products can significantly decrease food wastage.

Sainsbury’s decision affects a total of 44 products, including fresh and organic milk sold in England, Scotland, and Wales, amounting to over 730 million pints of milk annually. The distinction between use-by and best-before dates, as explained by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), is crucial. Use-by dates are related to food safety and must not be exceeded, whereas best-before dates pertain to food quality, and products can still be consumed beyond this date. Sainsbury’s intends to encourage shoppers to follow the FSA’s guidance and rely on sensory cues, such as smell, to determine the freshness of milk labelled with a best-before date.

Ruth Cranston, Director of Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability at Sainsbury’s, emphasizes their commitment to combating food waste throughout the supply chain and in customers’ homes. She points out that approximately a third of all food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted. By adopting best-before dates for milk, Sainsbury’s aims to empower customers to make informed decisions about the edibility of their food, thereby reducing premature disposal.

David adds that using a “best before” date on milk allows consumers to exercise judgment and use the product beyond that date, extending the shelf life of what they buy. She also recommends following guidelines, such as maintaining a fridge temperature below five degrees Celsius, to keep food fresher for longer.

In a related move, UK supermarket Asda has also removed “best before” dates from nearly 250 packaged fresh fruit and vegetable products in its stores, aligning with the goal of reducing food waste and helping customers save money.