There is a big difference between "best before" and "use-by" dates.
Some foods are safe to eat past their best before date, but it is the use-by date that indicates when they will no longer be safe to eat. Make sure you check the labels and look at the dates.
According to an UN report from September 2023,
*Globally, about 13% of food produced is lost between harvest and retail. A significant amount is also discarded at the retail and consumption levels.
*It is estimated that 17% of the world's total food production is discarded by households, food service, and retailers.
*691 to 783 million people faced hunger in 2022.
*Food loss and waste accounts for 38% of total energy use in the global food system.
Just by looking at this, we can see the importance of avoiding food loss.
So what are some simple things we can do?
For example, if you are in a supermarket or convenience store, try to make it a habit to take what is in the front of the shelf.
By taking ones that are closer to the use-by or best before dates, you'd be able to reduce the amount of food that is thrown away.
Understanding the difference can make a big difference!
Source: https://www.un.org/en/observances/end-food-waste-day
