// Co-op becomes the latest supermarket to scrap best before dates from fresh produce in a bid to reduce food waste
// More than 150 fruit and vegetables with have its best before dates removed
Co-op has become the latest supermarket to scrap best before labels from its fresh produce in efforts to reduce food waste.
As of next week, more than 150 fruit and vegetables will have its best before dates removed.
Only a small number of perishable items will still have their best before labels.
The group will instead use encrypted codes for its staff to keep track of how long produce has been on the shelf.
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Co-op said customers should use their judgement as to whether the fresh produce at home had gone off.
Propositions director Adele Balmforth said: “As we face a climate, environmental and cost-of-living crisis we are committed to helping our customers cut food waste in the home and save money.
“Date codes can drive decisions in the home, and result in good food being thrown away – which has a cost to both people and to our planet.
“In addition to axing best before dates on fresh fruit and vegetables, our inclusion of storage instructions can also help products last longer and, sits alongside our simple on-pack message for shoppers – ‘If it still looks good enough to eat, it is!”
It joins other major supermarkets including Aldi, Sainsbury’s, M&S and Waitrose who scrapped best before dates last year.
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