Researchers are pushing for an overhaul of Australia’s food labelling system, warning confusion about the current use of best-before and use-by dates is contributing to waste that is costing households thousands of dollars a year.

RMIT University and Food Waste Australia have found consumers, overwhelmed by the information presented on packaging, often err on the side of caution and discard food that may still be safe to consume.

“It’s like a massive car park full of a whole lot of information jostling for the best park,” Professor Simon Lockrey from End Food Waste Australia said.

Australia currently wastes 7.6 million tonnes of food each year, costing households an average of $2500. 

“It’s really just throwing away money,” Associate Professor Lukas Parker from RMIT said.

“Do a bit of a smell, or a taste, or even just touching the food sometimes could really tell us whether the food is fresh,” he added.

The researchers are spearheading a push for a system overhaul, calling for a standardised, colour-coded labelling system that provides clear, visual instructions to help consumers make their food stretch as far as possible. 

“People need a new tool belt to put all the tools in to deliver really good food outcomes,” Lockrey said.

In the meantime, while dates are the common driver for Australians’ decision to ditch food, there is a rule of thumb to remove some risk.

“Use by is a safety label – you shouldn’t eat food past that date,” Lockrey said. 

“Best before is a suggestion on good quality.”