A recent study from RMIT University, has found that Australians are throwing away large amounts of food due to confusion over date labels and unclear storage advice.
Conducted in collaboration with End Food Waste Australia, the research emphasises the need for clearer packaging information to minimise food waste.
The study revealed that although many consumers understood the difference between “use-by” and “best-before” dates, they often discarded food once it reached either date, regardless of its actual condition. Use-by dates indicate the last day a product is safe to eat, while best-before dates refer to the period of peak quality, with food still being safe to consume if stored properly.
Associate Professor Lukas Parker, the lead author of the study, noted that Australians were misinterpreting date labels due to their confusing nature. “Consumers want clear, consistent, and easy-to-read information,” Parker said. He suggested that labels in larger fonts with contrasting colours could help consumers better understand and locate important information.
The research also highlighted that storage advice on packaging, such as “store in a cool, dry place,” was often perceived as vague and unhelpful. Parker mentioned that adding practical tips, including specific temperature guidelines for storage, could help reduce food spoilage, especially in warmer climates like Queensland and the Northern Territory, where consumers found date labels less reliable.
Another key finding was that after opening food packaging, date labels were often removed, leaving consumers unsure about the freshness of the product. Parker encouraged consumers to rely on their senses to judge food quality rather than focusing solely on printed dates. “We need people to feel, touch, and smell food, not just rely on its best-before date,” he said.
The study also suggested that smaller, more frequent shopping trips could help reduce food waste. “Having less food in our fridges and pantries means we’re more likely to use products quickly and throw less away,” Parker advised.
Conducted for End Food Waste Australia, the research aims to inform both government and industry representatives about ways to improve the clarity of packaging information and contribute to reducing food waste across the country.
The full report is published by RMIT University and the End Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre.
