Imagine opening your cupboard and finding a package of rice that’s been past its best-before date for several months. What do you do? Most people, as a precaution, throw it out. However, this reflex is often unjustified and contributes to considerable food waste. What if we told you that this situation could soon change?
Finally understand the difference between DLC and DDM
Before addressing this potential reform, it is essential to clarify a confusion that has persisted for too long: the difference between DLC and DDM .
The Best Before Date (BBD) , indicated by the words ” use by… “, applies to fresh products such as meat, fish or yogurts. After this date, consuming these foods can actually pose a health risk.
On the other hand, the Best Before Date (BBD) , listed under the heading ” best before… “, is a completely different story. It concerns dry products such as pasta, rice, canned goods or coffee. Here, exceeding the date does not pose any health risks , only a possible deterioration in quality (taste, texture, etc.).
Unfortunately, this distinction often remains unclear in the minds of consumers. The result? Tons of perfectly edible food end up in the trash every year.
Why consider abolishing the DDM?
Guillaume Garot , a member of parliament and active advocate for combating food waste, is proposing an ambitious measure: removing the best-before date for certain dry, non-perishable products such as cereals, rice, and pasta. According to him, these dates ” serve no health purpose ” and only serve to arouse unjustified concern among consumers.
