UK retailer Co-op has announced it will be ditching yogurt use-by dates in a bid to help combat food waste and encourage consumers to enjoy dairy products that are still completely edible. The brand will be replacing the use-by date with best before dates starting next month to its own-label yogurts, which it hopes will encourage consumers to use visual cues to decided whether or not the dairy product is suitable to eat. The entire range is expected to be amended by October.
Co-op Head of Food Technical Nick Cornwell commented on the elimination of yogurt use-by dates saying, "Yogurt can be safe to eat if stored unopened in a fridge after the date mark shown, so we have made the move to use ‘best before’ dates to help reduce food waste. The acidity of yogurt acts as a natural defence and we’d encourage shoppers to use their judgment on the quality of their yogurt if it is past the ‘best before’ date."
Dairy Product Labeling Updates
Co-op is Eliminating Yogurt Use-By Dates to Combat Food Waste
Trend Themes
1. Eliminating Use-by Dates - More companies could eliminate use-by dates to reduce food waste and encourage consumers to use their judgement on the quality of the product.
2. Replacing Use-by Dates - Replacing use-by dates with best before dates could become a trend for dairy and other products, encouraging consumers to use visual cues to decide if a product is still suitable to consume.
3. Reducing Food Waste - More companies could take steps to reduce food waste by evaluating the necessity of expiration dates and educating consumers on how to safely consume products beyond expiration dates.
Industry Implications
1. Food and Beverage - The food and beverage industry could adapt to this trend by reevaluating the necessity of expiration dates and providing more education on safe consumption practices.
2. Retail - The retail industry could benefit from this trend by promoting the reduction of food waste and becoming leaders in sustainable practices.
3. Agriculture and Farming - The agriculture and farming industry could adapt to this trend by focusing on reducing food waste at the source through improved storage and distribution practices.