Confusion over "best-before" date labels causes 23% [1] of avoidable food waste across Canada.
This misunderstanding leads to the disposal of safe, edible food at a time when food bank demand is increasing. The resulting waste creates a significant economic loss and exacerbates food insecurity for vulnerable populations.
According to a report from Second Harvest, a Canadian food rescue organization, the monetary value of this safe food wasted each year exceeds $12 billion [1]. The organization said that consumers often mistake these dates for safety expirations rather than indicators of peak quality.
Many people discard items immediately upon reaching the date, despite the food remaining safe for consumption [2]. This behavior contributes to a systemic issue where nearly a quarter of avoidable waste is driven by a lack of clarity regarding labeling standards [1].
Food rescue advocates said that better education on date-coding could reduce the volume of food entering landfills. By distinguishing between "best-before" dates and actual safety expiration dates, households can reduce waste, and save money [3].
“23% of avoidable food waste is caused by confusion over “best‑before” date labels”
The gap between food quality indicators and food safety standards creates a multi-billion dollar inefficiency in the Canadian supply chain. Because consumers treat quality dates as hard deadlines for safety, the country loses a massive amount of edible caloric intake that could otherwise mitigate food insecurity.
