Shoppers at Asda will see a big change come in later this week. In a big shift, the supermarket will axe 'best before' dates from 250 fruit and veg items.
It comes in on Thursday, September 1. It will see dates disappear from produce including fruit, potatoes, cauliflowers and carrots in all of its stores in an effort to reduce food waste, reports BirminghamLive.
Asda head of technical Andy Cockshaw said: “Reducing food waste in our business and in customers’ homes is a priority and we are always looking at different ways to achieve this. We know for customers this has become more important than ever in the current climate as many families are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and are looking to make savings wherever they can.”
Catherine David, director of collaboration and change at Wrap, which campaigns to reduce waste, said: “We are delighted by this development from Asda to help tackle food waste in our homes. Our research has shown that date labels on fruit and veg are unnecessary – getting rid of them can prevent the equivalent of seven million shopping baskets’ worth from our household bins.
“The influence of no date label or the right date label on what we use and what we throw away is huge. More supermarkets need to get ahead on food waste by axing date labels from fresh produce, allowing people to use their own judgement.”
Asda follows the likes of Marks and Spencer and Morrisons making similar change at stores across the country.
