AIPIA Reports on Plan to Cut European Food Waste

Published: June 16, 2017

UTRECHT, THE NETHERLANDS | Environment MEPs (members of the European Parliament) recently put forward a number of possible measures to cut the EU 88 million tonnes/yr food waste. MEPs called on the European Commission to lift existing restrictions on food donations and stressed that a solution is needed for the confusion created for many consumers by the “best before” and “use by” labeling. This information was reported in the newsletter of the Active & Intelligent Packaging Industry Association (AIPIA).

“In developed countries, food is wasted mostly at the end of the chain, at distribution and consumption,” says Hungarian MEP Biljana Borzan. (linkedin.com/in/katarina-ormuž-3946a53a). “Everyone has a responsibility to tackle this problem. My report calls for a coordinated policy response on labeling, liability, and education, as most consumers do not understand the precise meaning of “best before” and “use by” labeling.”

MEPs called on EU countries to achieve food waste cuts by 30% by 2025 and 50% by 2030, reiterating the objective Parliament set out in its waste legislation voted in March.

MEPs said national authorities and stakeholders need to educate consumers in the understanding of “use by” and “best before” dates and the usability of foodstuffs after the “best before” date. The Commission will have to assess the possible benefits of removing certain dates for products without any risk to public health or the environment. The report was adopted by the European Parliament in May.

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