20 September 2011 11:18

FOOD NEWS

NKDC supports Defra's food labelling changes

North Kesteven District Council’s Environmental Health and Sustainability teams are supporting DEFRA’s message to manufacturers in regards to food labelling.

The advice and guidance given last week was for manufacturers to only put ‘use by’ and ‘best before’ dates on food packaging as it will help householders reduce the amount of edible food thrown away each year. Currently some £12billion worth of edible food is thrown away nationally, which on average amounts to £680 a year per household with children.

Under the guidance ‘use by’ dates should relate only to food which is likely to become dangerous to eat, whilst ‘best before’ relates to when food may begin to lose quality but is still safe to eat.

NKDC are now encouraging residents to only look for the ‘use by’ and ‘best before’ dates when considering when food is safe to eat, rather than the ‘sell by’ and ‘display until’ dates which relate only to stores stock rotation.

Councillor Richard Wright, executive member with responsibility for environmental services and sustainability said: “Both teams are working to help educate the public on healthy eating and reducing waste. Often people get confused by all the dates that are put on food packaging and with reducing the information given to householders they are more likely to use up the food rather than throw it away because of misleading dates”.

This continues the messages from the Love Food Hate Waste campaign which NKDC delivered in partnership with Lincolnshire County Council and the other district councils between October 2010 and April 2011. The campaign helped residents understand ways to reduce food waste, including understanding food labelling. The national campaign is still running and helpful advice and tips can be found at www.lovefoodhatewaste.com

For further information on how the district council can help you contact 01529 414155 or visit www.n-kesteven.gov.uk

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