Nowe can’t anymore waste food, this is now clear to most people, although it is less clear how to do it. In fact, among the most complicated things, apart from bad habits, there is that of understanding when food really should be thrown away.
Food deadline: is it really the right one?
Often, in fact, the expiry date shown on the package is not completely correct, in the sense that that food could last a little longer. A way often used by manufacturers to bring consumers to new purchases.
EU towards deadline change: the “often good beyond” label is on the way. The goal: to extend the life of food thus reducing waste (Getty Images)
“Often good over…against food waste
For this according to Europe to existing indications a new one is added: because «a better understanding of the expiration date», would certainly influence «the consumer decision-making process in this regard whether or not to eliminate a food item».
And this is precisely the direction in which the European Commission will head, which has launched the proposal to add to the classic wording “Best before…“, also the new notice “Often good over…”.
But can you really eat it?
According to a survey by other consumption, Alone one out of three Italians correctly understands the meaning of the dates shown on foods and the difference between the expiry date and the minimum conservation term.
To clarify: when a food is “use by”must be consumed by that date. Delicate food, such as raw fish, after the date it should be considered expired.
When then on the label it reads “Best before”means that until that date the product, usually pasta, flour, biscuits, etc., retains its specific nutritional and taste characteristics, after which at the latest it may lose some fragrance, but it is in no way harmful to health.
“Often good over…”, an essential indication
The addition of the wording “Often good over…”, therefore, according to the EU it is fundamental because it would help reduce the exorbitant numbers of food waste which, looking at them, are really scary: 57 million tons of food waste127 kilos per inhabitant, with a cost to the twenty-seven member countries of around 130 billion euros.
Just a first step against food waste
However, the change to the deadline is only a first step in Brussels’ plans against food waste and has so far been contained only in a draft delegated act on which Brussels has been working for some time and on which it is now discussing with the Member States.
According to the Commission’s indicative timetable, next summer the EU will start discussing a targeted modification of the waste directive.
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