Almost half of British adults have unknowingly purchased out-of-date food from supermarkets, according to a new study. The research, conducted among 2,000 adults, reveals that £11.8 billion worth of food is thrown away across the UK each year, with the average person discarding £17.90 worth of groceries monthly.
Supermarkets have come under scrutiny after Asda was fined £640,000 in July for selling expired food at two Cardiff stores. The study found that 70% of shoppers believe retailers should do more to combat food waste, with a third arguing the industry's problem is larger than that of households.
The findings coincide with Tesco's trial of smart QR codes designed to improve date accuracy and reduce waste. Developed by GS1 UK, the codes allow customers to scan products for up-to-date storage and expiry advice, helping them make informed decisions about food safety.
Anne Godfrey, chief executive of GS1 UK, said: “These findings highlight the need for clearer guidance and more solutions. Scanning smart QR codes can help retailers track expiry dates, rotate stock, and discount items nearing their best-before date – stopping out-of-date items being sold to consumers.”
The study also found that 66% of people throw away food because they are unsure if it is safe to eat, with younger adults most guilty. Nearly half of shoppers said they would use scannable codes to receive alerts when products are nearing their use-by date, boosting trust in freshness.
