Expiration Date of Dairy Products: Here’s the Detail That Makes the Difference

Open your fridge and look up the number of yogurts with an expiration date. Contrary to popular belief, dairy products are not thrown away as often. According to research by the professional association of fresh dairy producers, Syndifrais, we would throw more fruit and vegetables in the trash. Only 16% to 18% of consumers decide to forgo yogurt and other dairy products that have passed their expiration date at least once a month.

If it comes as a surprise, take a close look at the results of this study to understand that stating the best-before date is essential to reduce food waste. 82% of respondents say they notice this detail systematically or often when shopping. But only 37% check whether it is a best-before date or a minimum best-before date, which can be recognized by the indication “Best before”† Reminder: in the first case, this detail is only given for products that can pose a health risk if the date is exceeded.

As a result, 92% of French women and men say they consume dairy products within less than two weeks. In supermarkets, almost half (46%) look for items to consume within six to ten days. Note that 25% are willing to give themselves up to two weeks to avoid wastage. It is this variant of adjustment that has great potential for anticipating waste. Nevertheless, while 81% of French people say they are willing to buy short-dated dairy products, 44% admit they would only buy it if they can’t find another party with a later date.

Earlier this year, British supermarket chain Morrisons found a solution to food waste by asking its customers to… trust their sense of smell! The distributor had therefore decided to remove the best-before dates on its own brand milk bottles. Last year the designation disappeared from yogurt and hard cheeses.

This study was conducted on a sample of 1,007 people, representative of the French population aged 18 and over, interviewed on March 1 and 2, 2022.

(ETX Daily Up)

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