Aldi has announced it will remove best before dates from around 60 of its own-brand fresh fruit and vegetable products by the end of the year. The move, which follows similar actions by Asda, Tesco, and Marks & Spencer, aims to reduce food waste and help customers keep products longer.
The affected items include apples, pears, citrus fruits, potatoes, carrots, and onions. Aldi says the change is part of its commitment to cut food waste by 20% by 2025 and halve it by 2030. The supermarket has also partnered with Neighbourly to donate 700,000 meals during the summer holidays and with Too Good To Go to offer 'Magic Bags' of surplus food for £3.30.
Liz Fox, Corporate Responsibility Director at Aldi UK, said: 'One of the reasons we are the UK’s cheapest supermarket is because we cut down on waste wherever we see it. By getting rid of these dates on packaging, we can help customers get even better value by reducing the amount of food that goes to waste at home.'
The Food Standards Agency notes that best before dates relate to quality, not safety, and food is usually safe to eat after that date. Deputy Director Peter Quigley welcomed the initiative, saying: 'We know many people are concerned about food affordability and food waste and we welcome initiatives by businesses to tackle these issues.'
