From tomorrow (1 July) all manufacturers supplying own-label food to Walmart must comply with new date labelling to cut down on food waste.
All SKUs in the US supermarket’s Great Value range will now carry a single stamp, ‘best if used by’, replacing “inconsistent” labelling the retailer claims has led shoppers to throw away edible food.
The new labels will apply to all own-label food, perishable or ambient “that does not require a date label for safety reasons or by law,” said Frank Yiannas, the retailer’s vice president of food safety, who admitted a small number of suppliers were yet to comply despite the imminent deadline. “We will work with them on a case by case basis to help them promptly make the changes.”
The retailer estimates 21% of US household food waste arises due to confusion over date labels. “Creating an industry standard simplifies understanding and eliminates confusion among customers, thereby resulting in less food waste due to confusion over date labels in the home,” Yiannas added.
The US giant hopes the new labelling will be rolled out to branded itemsin the future. “Many of our private brand suppliers also make national brand food items as well as private brand foods for other retailers, therefore we believe the Walmart standard will have a halo effect, reaching other foods sold both inside our stores and at other retailers,” he said.
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