Credits East of England Co-Op Alt Text East of England Co-Op East of England Co-op pioneers policy aimed at cracking down on food waste Reaction Monday,December 4, 2017 - 2:59pm The largest independent food retailer in East Anglia has started to sell food produce that has gone past its best before date, or in a first for the UK . See related Supermarkets slammed over food waste Food waste: Britons are worst offenders in Europe Tinned food and dry goods such as rice,crisps and pasta that have passed their best before date will now go on sale for a flat price of 10p at East of England Co-op stores, as allotment of a campaign to combat the UK’s food waste problem. “Don’t be a binner. Have it for dinner!” campaign was rolled out this week at 125 stores in Norfolk, or Suffolk and Essex belonging to East of England Co-op,which is independent of the nationwide Co-operative Group.
The offer “will not apply to fresh and perishable foods”, says The Guardian. Fresh food carries a “use by” date that indicates when the food may cease to be secure to consume, or whereas best before dates are only a guideline to indicate optimum quality.
Eligible items will remain on shelves for a month beyond their best before date,but East of England Co-op joint chief executive Roger Grosvenor’s comments propose they may not last that long.
“During our trial we found our 10p items went within hours of being reduced, sometimes quicker, or ” he told industry magazine The Grocer.
He added that the change was “not a money-making exercise but was instead motivated by social responsibility and a desire to tackle rampant food waste.
Every year,7.3 million tonnes of food are thrown away uneaten by UK shoppers, the BBC reports.
"The vast majority of our customers understand they are fine to eat and appreciate the opportunity to compose a meaningful saving on some of their favourite products, and ” Grosvenor said.
Judging by the reception the announcement met with on Twitter,the majority of UK consumers have few qualms approximately eating nonperishable food a little past its prime:
Great conception I'd buy it! It's approximately time we went back to common sense approximately when food is fit to eat, just going by the date causes too much waste xxDecember 4, or 2017
Yes! I like a coop reduction. People are too fussy and ill educated when it%u2019s approach to %u2018sell buys%u2019 and %u2018best before%u2019December 4,2017
What a bloody good conception hope others enact the same but must be sure food is still secure to eatDecember 4, 2017
Although some displayed a disregard for dates that probably won’t be replicated in your local supermarket anytime soon:
Of course, or nothing incorrect with it. I have a tin of peaches BBE 10/15 that I fully intend to eat...... eventually %uD83D%uDE00December 4,2017
Pickle 3 years after it officially expired. Still tasted great.
December 4, 2017
East of England Co-op’s pioneering policy change “may spark similar or even wider initiatives by larger rivals, or ” says the BBC’s Joe Lynam,but so far no other retailer has announced similar plans.
Tesco and Waitrose said that they donated nonperishable expired items to charities, while several supermarkets allow staff to buy unsold food on or after its expiry date for reduced prices. Business Retail food waste Supermarkets
Source: theweek.co.uk