Finding the Optimal “Best Before” Date Format to Reduce Food Waste

Investigator

• Yann Cornil
• Deepak Sirwani

Background

Globally, approximately one-third of all food produced is lost or wasted, amounting to 1.3 billion tons annually. In Canada, 60% of food waste, constituting a third of this figure, is still suitable for consumption at disposal. This not only squanders valuable resources but also exacerbates environmental issues, contributing to significant greenhouse gas emissions. Addressing food waste is thus crucial for environmental sustainability, economic efficiency, and social equity, aligning with the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.
 

Research Objectives

This study aims to investigate the impact of date labelling formats on consumer behaviour regarding food waste. It explores how the “Best Before Date” and “Manufacturing Date + Duration” formats influence consumer decisions to purchase and consume foods near or past these dates. By examining consumer intentions and actual behaviour in both lab and field experiments, the research seeks to identify which labelling format more effectively reduces food waste. The study's findings aim to inform policy and industry practices, potentially leading to standardized date labelling that can minimize food waste and its associated environmental impacts.