Let’s take a simple example: salt and sugar . Properly stored, these products can be stored indefinitely without any health risks. Yet, many similar foods continue to carry a best-before date, prompting consumers to throw them away unnecessarily.
In short, the aim of this proposal is to simplify the information given to consumers and to prevent them from throwing away products that are still good due to simple ignorance.
An essential economic and ecological measure
Behind every packet of rice thrown away, precious resources are lost : water, energy, human labor… Not to mention the financial impact on households. On average, each French person wastes around 150 euros of food per year . In a context where prices continue to rise, this loss becomes all the more worrying.
Environmentally, food waste also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions , linked to the production, transportation, and storage of food. Throwing less away also reduces our ecological footprint.
What are the consequences for consumers?
If this reform is adopted, it would only affect dry and non-perishable products . Best-by dates would obviously continue to apply to fresh foods to ensure our safety.
On the other hand, this could encourage everyone to relearn how to use their senses before deciding to throw away food . Observe, smell, taste: simple but effective actions to combat waste .
By the way, did you know that many products whose best-before date has passed can be sold at a reduced price ? Anti-waste initiatives are developing throughout France, helping to both reduce waste and save money .
