This week marks the annual Hävikvikikto.
The purpose of waste week is to increase the appreciation of food and share information about the importance of reducing waste. Tiina Somerpuro
What is the difference between best before and expiration dates? According to a study commissioned by Matsmart, only 56 percent of Finns know the exact difference between the two packaging labels.
There has been no change in the recognition of date markings during the year, as in 2021, 56 percent of the respondents answered that they knew the difference between the markings. 1043 Finns responded to the survey conducted by Kantar TNS.
CEO of Matsmart Karl Andersson states in the announcement that all participants in the food system still have work to do so that ordinary consumers can better recognize the differences between different date labels.
– The most important thing to remember is that the best-before date is the manufacturer’s promise that the product will retain its properties. Almost all food and drink is still perfectly good to eat and drink after the best before date.
In contrast to the “best before” label, the expiration date specifically means the product’s expiration date.
Discounted products are becoming more and more interesting
Buying discounted products is one way to reduce food waste, and discounted products are even more interesting to consumers. According to a K-group survey carried out in August, 69 percent of Finns say they buy products that have expired at a discounted price.
By the end of August, the unit sales of red-labeled products increased by almost 12 percent in the K group’s stores compared to the corresponding period of the previous year. In particular, red-labelled breads, ready meals, meat products, yogurts and milk products do their business.
Don’t throw away the bread
At home, one of the products that easily causes waste is bread. However, according to research commissioned by Vaasan, consumers have systematically reduced bread waste at home. When Vaasan conducted its first survey in 2017, more than one in four respondents reported that they throw bread in the garbage every week. In the second year, only 16 percent of the respondents did it.
5 tips for reducing bread waste
1. Plan a menu for the week and only buy as much as you can eat. Choose a bread bag of the right size for your needs.
2. A plastic bread bag keeps the bread fresh for the longest time and the bag can be used as a snack bag. Finally, the bag belongs to plastic collection.
3. Freeze part of the bread. Defrosting can be done at room temperature or in the toaster.
4. The dried bread is suitable for croutons or a pie base, or it can also be ground into breadcrumbs.
5. Buy discounted products.
Tips: Vaasan