Major change to help customers reduce food waste and save money

Asda has announced plans to remove the best before dates on almost 250 of its fresh fruit & vegetable products to help customers reduce food waste and save money.

From 1^st September, in partnership with Asda, we will remove the dates from a host of packaged fruit and vegetable products including citrus fruits, potatoes, cauliflowers, and carrots.

The change comes as research from the climate action group WRAP reveals that the average family throws away £60 worth of food and drink each month*. By removing best before dates and encouraging customers to decide themselves if the food is edible, we aim to reduce food waste in the home and in the process save customers money.

The dates will be replaced by a new code which will be used by store colleagues to ensure the highest quality and freshness is maintained. They are supported by specialist green grocers in over 250 stores who have received training in all aspects of Asda’s fresh produce operation, including where products should be stored to maintain freshness and quality.

Asda is also providing additional guidance online and on packaging to help customers to understand how to best store and prepare fresh food as well as handy hints and tips on how to reduce food waste.

Andy Cockshaw, Head of Technical at IPL said: “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.”

Globally, food waste is a significant contributor to climate change, accounting for 8% of total greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). In the UK alone, food waste is responsible for an estimated 36 million tonnes of GHG emissions every year, according to WRAP**.

*Data from WRAP (Food surplus and waste in the UK – key facts)

** WRAP Waste & Resources Action Programme