Sainsbury’s is transitioning from use-by dates to best-before dates on its own-brand milk, aiming to curb food wastage.
- This adjustment impacts 44 products, including fresh and organic milk across England, Scotland, and Wales.
- Research indicates milk is the third most wasted food in the UK, with 490 million pints discarded annually.
- Sainsbury’s joins M&S, which previously implemented a similar policy, as part of broader environmental commitments.
- The updated labelling is set to be completed by the end of February 2024, affecting over 730 million pints annually.
Sainsbury’s has announced a significant change to its milk product labelling, moving from use-by dates to best-before dates. This initiative is aimed at reducing food waste and will be applied to 44 products, encompassing all fresh and organic milk sold across England, Scotland, and Wales. The transition is expected to be finalised by February 2024 and will affect more than 730 million pints of milk sold each year.
Research conducted by the climate non-governmental organisation, Wrap, highlights that milk is the third most wasted food item in the United Kingdom, with over 490 million pints being discarded each year. This wastage often occurs because the milk has surpassed the use-by date, which is why Sainsbury’s sees potential in reducing waste by adopting best-before dates.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) clarifies that use-by dates are related to food safety, whereas best-before dates pertain to food quality. Foods should not be consumed past their use-by dates; however, items with best-before dates can still be eaten after the labelled date, provided they are assessed for quality through sensory checks like sniffing.
Ruth Cranston, Sainsbury’s director of corporate responsibility and sustainability, commented on the importance of combatting food waste, stating, ‘Around a third of all food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted. Combatting food waste is one of our top priorities.’ By enabling customers to make informed decisions about when food should be consumed, Sainsbury’s aims to prevent premature disposal of edible goods.
This strategic move by Sainsbury’s follows a similar initiative by M&S, which removed ‘use by’ dates from its RSPCA assured fresh milk earlier this year. Additionally, Sainsbury’s is investing £6 million to support its dairy farmers, providing them with an extra fixed 1p per litre on top of the cost of production price. This financial support is part of their commitment to enhancing sustainable practices.
Sainsbury’s shift to best-before dates on milk is a strategic approach to reduce food waste and support sustainable practices.
