Every year, in Europe and the rest of the world, they are born Tons of food wastewith devastating effects on the environment. This phenomenon, which contributes significantly to pollution and loss of natural resources, is a growing problem that requires a global commitment to tackle.
Second And give Eurostat.a significant portion of food waste is found in it. Case privateWhere it is well-estimated 54% Gross waste comes from households. This data highlights the need for greater awareness of food habits and more efficient management of household resources.
An important aspect that contributes to this waste is Poor understanding of expiration dates found on food labels. In fact, it has been estimated that 10% Household food waste is directly related to one. Misinterpretation of the labelEspecially those who point out that. Expiration date And Minimum shelf life. Many consumers, unfortunately, tend to throw away foods that are past these dates, even though they are often perfectly fine. Edible.
Food waste has significant impacts on the environment and society:
- Waste of resources: Large amounts of water, energy and arable land are used to produce food. Throwing away food means wasting all these resources.
- Increase in greenhouse gas emissions: The production and disposal of food releases greenhouse gases, which contribute to climate change.
- Cost Impact: Food waste increases the costs of food production and distribution, which affects the final price paid by consumers.
Educating consumers to read labels correctly and use their resources more consciously can significantly reduce this type of waste, contributing to improvements from both an environmental and economic perspective.
Awareness of food labels during the European week for waste reduction
On the occasion of European Week for Waste Reduction (SERR)which is celebrated from November 16 to 24 and focuses on this year’s theme. Food wastesocial enterprise It’s great to go.For is known for its commitment to reducing waste through its marketplace. Food surplusesConducted a survey together with Opinum. The purpose of the study was to examine the correct Interpretation of food labels An investigation into the use of, by the Italians, as well Your senses When it comes to food.
The results emerging from the study highlight a complex and uneven picture: although Italians seem to be aware of the impact of food waste on the environment and declare that they know the meaning of food labels, this information Their attitude towards is linear. indeed, Many consumers place their trust in labels. per Review product safety and quality.But when it comes to translating that awareness into concrete actions, things don’t always go as planned.
In particular, although they are able to understand the information on labels, not everyone puts this knowledge into practice. When it comes to products that have expired or are close to their use-by date, many people still rely heavily. Written instructionsIgnore their own feeling (such as smell and sight) to judge whether a product is still edible. This is despite the fact that, in reality, some foods can be consumed after the stated expiration date if stored correctly.
This difference between Theoretical awareness e Practical attitude represents a major cause of household food wastage. If Italians started using their senses better, many products that are still perfectly good could be saved from being thrown away, significantly reducing the environmental impact and costs associated with waste. .
Understanding food labels to reduce household waste
When looking at food products, payment is important attention And understand the basic differences between the two most common labels found. These provide important information about the labels. Safety And on Quality Food items and their proper interpretation are important to avoid unnecessary waste. The first label that deserves attention is the one that shows the expiration date. “to eat”. This indication is of utmost importance to ensure food safety. Basically, when a product is past its stated date, it should no longer be used. This is due to the fact that, after this period, the risk of food spoilage increases, and with it the possibility of food poisoning. Therefore, this label should be considered as a point of reference for consumer health and safety.
On the other hand, words “to be used preferably” refers to Minimum shelf life of food items. This label indicates the date by which the product reaches. Highest level of quality. In this case, if the food has been stored properly, it can be consumed after this date without compromising safety. Trust in yourself. feeling So it becomes a useful strategy: observing the appearance of the food, smelling it and tasting it can help determine whether the food is still good.
It is important to note that according to the data, 10% Household food waste comes from misinterpreting labels. This highlights the urgency of improving data. Awareness About food packaging information. Clarifying the intentions and behavior of Italians in relation to these labels can contribute to greater awareness and, in turn, to a reduction in food waste.
To solve this problem, it is useful to promote information campaigns that explain the meaning of labels simply and clearly, educating consumers to interpret them correctly. In this way, we can not only improve food management in households, but also promote a more sustainable approach to food consumption.
A survey on household waste, awareness and eating habits of Italians
Investigations conducted by It’s great to go. revealed that, although a large majority of Italians (81%) say they understand the meaning of the “best before” indication on food labels, the reality of daily consumption shows a different picture. In fact, nearly a third of consumers (30%) often or always throw away food after this date has passed. This behavior not only fuels household waste, but reflects it. Lack of confidence In misinterpreting the information provided by the labels and their significance.
Here are some key statistics that emerged from the survey:
- 81% Italian consumers are familiar with the meaning of the sign “first”.
- 30% Italians admit to throwing away food once this date has passed.
- gave Generation Z With a waste rate of , it is the most wasteful. 42%;
- i MillennialsIn contrast, with only, there are more focuses 21% One who throws away food after its expiration date.
- 67% Millennials rely on their senses (sight, smell, taste) to evaluate food quality, while only 52% Italians trust their sense judgment.
These data highlight the discrepancy between declared awareness and practical habits: despite being aware of the label’s meaning, many consumers continue to make choices that lead to waste. Still ediblemostly due to a misunderstanding of the terms used on food labels. This behavior stems from the fear of consuming foods that are believed to be perishable, even when in fact they are safe to eat.
Too Good to Go, through its initiative, is trying to help change these attitudes, raising awareness among consumers about the importance of reviewing their eating habits. There Awareness Relying on one’s senses regarding the correct use of labels and assessing the freshness of food are fundamental steps to reduce waste and promote more sustainable consumption. As described. Mirko Ceresola.Country Director of Too Good To Go Italia, tons per year Absolutely edible food are wasted in Italian homes, often due to misunderstandings on food labels, and company daily Education e Raise awareness People on these issues
“Etichetta Consapevole” initiative, a step towards reducing food waste
To tackle the problem of food waste, It’s great to go. Started this initiative in 2021. “Conscious Etiquette”. The initiative was created in collaboration with the world’s leading food companies, including Unilever, Danone, Carrefour, Nestlé e Bell Group. Its purpose is to invite people to use their senses to assess the condition of food products that have passed the “best before” date. This means looking, smelling and tasting the product to determine if it is still edible, thus reducing food waste.
To this day, in Italy, the label “Seeing, smelling, tasting” 47 brands are participating in this project and are present in more than 300 references. The label is printed on more than 390 million packages annually, reaching a wide audience of consumers. According to the Too Good to Go survey, more than a third (36%) of interviewees declared having seen or heard the label, specifically Millennials (58%). This shows that this initiative is having a significant impact on consumer awareness.
L’Conscious manners Too Good to Go is present in 15 countries and boasts 532 active partners worldwide. Each year, the label is printed on 6 billion products, guiding consumers towards a more conscious, mindful and sustainable behavior towards the planet. This collective effort is essential to reduce food waste and promote more responsible consumption.
“Today, the Too Good To Go Conscious Label is present in 15 countries, boasts 532 active partners worldwide, and is printed on 6 billion products each year. We look forward to working with many companies and for the planet. Proud to be able to make such a big impact on a larger scale, guiding consumers towards more informed, mindful and sustainable behaviours”. Mirko Ceresola..
