Food date labelling and storage advice
A key way in which food retailers and brands can help their customers throw away less food is by adopting good practice for the way products are packaged, labelled and priced. It’s also important that they help customers to understand the difference between types of date label, when food is safe to freeze, how to safely defrost, and so on.
On this page you will find key information on how to apply food date labels, storage and freezing advice to ensure food is safe to eat, reduce consumer food waste and remove barriers to redistribution. Category-specific guidance and checklists are included; proven to be effective in helping consumers reduce their household food waste.
Best practice labelling guidance and checklist
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GUIDE
Label better, less waste: Food date labelling guidance
Provides guidance on how to apply and use food date labels and how UK law applies throughout the ‘life cycle’ of a food product from initial product design and development through to sale or redistribution).
4 September 2019
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GUIDE
Label better, less waste: Food date labelling guidance checklist
Use these checklists to help with food labelling choices. The images and on-pack wording can help reduce food waste for all products.
28 November 2017
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Category guidance
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Label better, less waste: Cheese
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Label better, less waste: Milk
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Best practice and food safety for redistribution*
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GUIDE
Surplus food redistribution labelling guidance
This guide covers date labelling and storage instruction requirements for surplus food, in order for it to be safely redistributed, along with guidance for freezing and relabelling fresh food.
21 April 2020
* Food law
The guidance or activities around the redistribution of surplus food does not change or replace the normal legal requirements that apply to the provision of food. A food business, which could be any undertaking, whether for profit or not and whether public or private, carrying out any activities related to any stage of food production, processing or distribution, is subject to food law - including safety and hygiene; as well as record-keeping and traceability.
Local authority Trading Standards Departments and Environmental Health Departments are responsible for advising on and enforcing food law. It is recommended that in the first instance Food Business Operators direct any questions around laws relating to the provision or handling of food that they may have, to their local authority enforcement team.
Related resources
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GUIDE
Development of best practice on food date labelling and storage advice
Additional background information the labelling guidance, including FAQs.
18 November 2017
1 files
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REPORT
Meat in a Net Zero world
A cross-industry vision to optimise productivity and minimise waste from farm to fork.
29 June 2020
2 files
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CASE STUDY
Opportunities to reduce waste along the journey of milk, from dairy to home
Uncovering the scale of milk waste across the supply chain and highlighting the ways we can significantly reduce it.
5 November 2018
3 files
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REPORT
Retail Survey 2019
Helping consumers reduce food waste through better labelling and product changes.
5 November 2019
2 files