3 days ago
Check before you chuck: how bigger labels can end waste
Australians could be saving thousands of dollars in a cost-of-living crisis by not throwing away perfectly good food which can be solved with a simple change - bigger fonts.
A report by RMIT and End Food Waste Australia has found that clearer, more consistent date labels and storage advice with bigger print and simple icons, could drastically reduce the amount of food ending up in the bin.
Australians waste a whopping 7.6 million tonnes of food, much of it still safe to eat, according to the food advocacy group.
The 41-page-study released on Wednesday showed poor label design and inconsistent packaging were key reasons consumers throw out food.
Researchers estimated the waste adds up to $2500 per year for an average household.
Lead author RMIT Associate Professor Lukas Parker said consumers deserve better.
"They're being let down by labels that don't give them the information they need to make the right call," he said.
"It's time for a consistent, clear system that helps people make smarter choices, saves money and keeps good food out of the bin."
The report said consumers often misinterpret "best before" and "use by" dates which leads to tonnes of food being thrown out prematurely.
But it's easier said than done without buy-in from the whole sector.
End Food Waste Australia CEO Tristan Butt said cutting food waste through smarter labels will only be a reality seen on supermarket shelves if government, retailers and food producers work together.
"Clear, consistent date labelling is one of the most cost-effective and scalable ways to reduce household food waste, but it won't happen without industry-wide collaboration," he said.
"This single change could prevent nearly a million tonnes of food waste by 2030."
Australians could be saving thousands of dollars in a cost-of-living crisis by not throwing away perfectly good food which can be solved with a simple change - bigger fonts.
A report by RMIT and End Food Waste Australia has found that clearer, more consistent date labels and storage advice with bigger print and simple icons, could drastically reduce the amount of food ending up in the bin.
Australians waste a whopping 7.6 million tonnes of food, much of it still safe to eat, according to the food advocacy group.
The 41-page-study released on Wednesday showed poor label design and inconsistent packaging were key reasons consumers throw out food.
Researchers estimated the waste adds up to $2500 per year for an average household.
Lead author RMIT Associate Professor Lukas Parker said consumers deserve better.
"They're being let down by labels that don't give them the information they need to make the right call," he said.
"It's time for a consistent, clear system that helps people make smarter choices, saves money and keeps good food out of the bin."
The report said consumers often misinterpret "best before" and "use by" dates which leads to tonnes of food being thrown out prematurely.
But it's easier said than done without buy-in from the whole sector.
End Food Waste Australia CEO Tristan Butt said cutting food waste through smarter labels will only be a reality seen on supermarket shelves if government, retailers and food producers work together.
"Clear, consistent date labelling is one of the most cost-effective and scalable ways to reduce household food waste, but it won't happen without industry-wide collaboration," he said.
"This single change could prevent nearly a million tonnes of food waste by 2030."
Australians could be saving thousands of dollars in a cost-of-living crisis by not throwing away perfectly good food which can be solved with a simple change - bigger fonts.
A report by RMIT and End Food Waste Australia has found that clearer, more consistent date labels and storage advice with bigger print and simple icons, could drastically reduce the amount of food ending up in the bin.
Australians waste a whopping 7.6 million tonnes of food, much of it still safe to eat, according to the food advocacy group.
The 41-page-study released on Wednesday showed poor label design and inconsistent packaging were key reasons consumers throw out food.
Researchers estimated the waste adds up to $2500 per year for an average household.
Lead author RMIT Associate Professor Lukas Parker said consumers deserve better.
"They're being let down by labels that don't give them the information they need to make the right call," he said.
"It's time for a consistent, clear system that helps people make smarter choices, saves money and keeps good food out of the bin."
The report said consumers often misinterpret "best before" and "use by" dates which leads to tonnes of food being thrown out prematurely.
But it's easier said than done without buy-in from the whole sector.
End Food Waste Australia CEO Tristan Butt said cutting food waste through smarter labels will only be a reality seen on supermarket shelves if government, retailers and food producers work together.
"Clear, consistent date labelling is one of the most cost-effective and scalable ways to reduce household food waste, but it won't happen without industry-wide collaboration," he said.
"This single change could prevent nearly a million tonnes of food waste by 2030."
Australians could be saving thousands of dollars in a cost-of-living crisis by not throwing away perfectly good food which can be solved with a simple change - bigger fonts.
A report by RMIT and End Food Waste Australia has found that clearer, more consistent date labels and storage advice with bigger print and simple icons, could drastically reduce the amount of food ending up in the bin.
Australians waste a whopping 7.6 million tonnes of food, much of it still safe to eat, according to the food advocacy group.
The 41-page-study released on Wednesday showed poor label design and inconsistent packaging were key reasons consumers throw out food.
Researchers estimated the waste adds up to $2500 per year for an average household.
Lead author RMIT Associate Professor Lukas Parker said consumers deserve better.
"They're being let down by labels that don't give them the information they need to make the right call," he said.
"It's time for a consistent, clear system that helps people make smarter choices, saves money and keeps good food out of the bin."
The report said consumers often misinterpret "best before" and "use by" dates which leads to tonnes of food being thrown out prematurely.
But it's easier said than done without buy-in from the whole sector.
End Food Waste Australia CEO Tristan Butt said cutting food waste through smarter labels will only be a reality seen on supermarket shelves if government, retailers and food producers work together.
"Clear, consistent date labelling is one of the most cost-effective and scalable ways to reduce household food waste, but it won't happen without industry-wide collaboration," he said.
"This single change could prevent nearly a million tonnes of food waste by 2030."
