Introduction:
Food date labels can be confusing, leading to unnecessary food waste. A new report from the “National Date Labelling and Storage Advice Project reveals that both consumers and businesses are contributing to the millions of tonnes of food wasted in Australia each year due to unclear labelling. For commercial operations such as restaurants, grocery stores, and hotels, managing food waste effectively is crucial not just for reducing costs, but also for supporting sustainability goals.
The Difference Between “Use By” and “Best Before” Labels
- Use By Date: This is the critical date for food safety. For commercial operations, understanding the “Use by date is essential to avoid serving food that could pose health risks. If food has passed this date, it should not be consumed
- Best Before Date: While food may lose some of its freshness, flavor, or texture after the “Best before date, it is still safe to consume. For businesses, this means that non-perishable goods nearing this date can still be used or donated, helping to reduce waste.
How Date Label Confusion Affects Businesses
Many businesses, from supermarkets to catering services, often dispose of food based solely on the date label, even if the food is still perfectly edible. This practice leads to increased waste disposal costs, not to mention the environmental impact of sending food to landfills. Understanding how to interpret date labels correctly can help businesses reduce food waste significantly.
How Commercial Composting Can Help Businesses Manage Expired Food
Even when food does expire, it doesn’t have to go to waste. Commercial composters offer an effective way for businesses to manage their food waste. By composting expired produce, food scraps, and other organic materials, businesses can turn waste into a valuable resource for soil enrichment rather than contributing to landfill waste.
The Role of Businesses in Reducing Food Waste
- Donating excess food: Businesses can partner with food banks and charities to donate items that are near their “Best before” date but still perfectly edible.
- Using commercial composting systems: Instead of throwing expired food into the trash, businesses can compost it, reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills and lowering disposal costs.
Conclusion
Misunderstanding food labels leads to unnecessary waste, but with proper management and the adoption of commercial composting systems, businesses can play a crucial role in reducing this waste. By investing in sustainable practices like composting, companies can not only save money but also demonstrate their commitment to environmental responsibility. Explore our commercial composting solutions today and find out how your business can reduce food waste and improve sustainability.
