Supermarkets Ditch Best-Before Dates, Use Hidden Codes

0:00The latest headlines, weather, and stories right here on Lester News today. Supermarkets have dropped best before dates on fruits and vegetables to help cut down on food waste. Instead, they use hidden codes on packaging to show when produce is at its freshest. Groups like Witch have decoded these systems for shoppers. Tesco got rid of most labels back in 2018, and Marx and Spencer followed in 2022. Other chains like Ozda kept similar practices. These codes let stores track stock without confusing customers. Consumers are reacting with relief, as the UK throws away about 9,520,000 tons of food each year. That's enough to feed more than 30 million people, while millions face food poverty, which broke down the code starting with Asda and Tesco. They use a letter for the month, like A, for January, followed by the day, so a 28 means best before January 28. Meanwhile, Sainsbury's wraps the date between J and S, as in J-1508-S for August 15.

1:06Morrison's keeps it simple with a month letter and day, like S-08 for September 8. Experts say produce without a use, by date is often fine past that point if it looks and smells good. The Daily News Now is powered by our sponsor. If earbuds fall out when you sleep, this is for you. A pillow with built-in sound, S-O-L-I, solelypillow.com