Voluntary Pact for food consumption dates in France

According to the latest research of the European Commission (February 2018), it is estimated that the wastage of 88 million tons of food per year in the European Union is associated with more than 10% with the indication of the date of consumption in food.

In the EU strategy "Farm to Fork" points out that misunderstandings and misuse of date marking ("use by" and "best before" dates) are a cause of food waste and the European Commission is expected to revise the relevant EU rules (legislative proposal until the 4th quarter of 2022). It will be preceded by a public consultation, impact assessment and consumer survey.

In the meantime, among other initiatives in EU Member States, the voluntary Consumption Dates Pact in France (Too Good To Go initiative), which is signed, supported and implemented by civil society organizations, competent Ministries, food processing companies and retailers is of particular interest.

Within the framework of the Pact, a broad and dynamic public awareness & education campaign is being carried out (television, social networks, bus stops, etc.).

At the same time, specific commitments are made by the contracting companies of the food industry (provision of information for the indication "best before" and visual display to urge the consumer to trust his senses after the indicated date), as well as supermarkets (promotion of close to expiration date foods in a special stand and provision of relevant information material to consumers).

“25/12/20. It's Christmas. But in this jar of honey, it's a day like any other," reads a poster of the French initiative.

In other Member States, too, with regard to long-shelf life non-perishable foods, actions of an organoleptic approach and motivating the consumer to trust his senses are being promoted.

 
Photos source: Too Good To Go