Nestlé is launching the ‘Sniff, Look, Taste’ on-pack date-labelling pilot in Australia. The initiative aims to help consumers better understand food date labels and reduce household food waste.
Australia wastes around 7.6 million tonnes of food each year. Households account for about one-third of the total, despite around 70 per cent of discarded food still being edible.
OzHarvest found that 58 per cent of households with high levels of food waste throw food away because they are unsure of the difference between Use By and Best Before labels. Without intervention, annual food waste is projected to reach 9.2 million tonnes by 2030.
To address the issue, Nestlé launched the pilot in collaboration with OzHarvest. The on-pack logo encourages consumers to check the date label before discarding food. For products past their Best Before date, it advises using their senses alongside the Best Before date to determine whether the food can still be consumed.
Nestlé Oceania regulatory, scientific and nutrition manager Kirsten Grinter said consumers should understand the distinction between the two date labels. Consumers should always follow the Use By date because it relates to food safety, while the Best Before date refers to product quality. Food may still be suitable for consumption after the Best Before date.
Nestlé is introducing the label on two Maggi 2 Minute Noodles products. The products are available through supermarkets and grocery stores across Australia.
Food and nutrition scientist Dr Emma Beckett said the pilot supports food safety. It also helps consumers decide whether food past its Best Before date is still safe to use.
OzHarvest head of impact Hally Lara said many Australians want to reduce food waste but lack confidence when interpreting date labels.
“Reducing household food waste is all about small changes that can make a huge difference,” Lara said.
The pilot was informed by research from RMIT University, End Food Waste Australia, and other local and international studies.
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