Too Good To Go BlogREDUCING FOOD WASTE THIS THANKSGIVING: HOW DATE LABEL EDUCATION CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

As Thanksgiving approaches, it’s a good time to reflect on how we can reduce waste—especially when it comes to food. Each year, an estimated 316 million pounds of food are wasted across the US during this holiday season. A significant factor contributing to this issue is confusion around food date labels, making it an area where small changes can have a big impact.

A recent survey conducted by Too Good To Go and Opinium Research highlights the urgent need for education on date labels. Polling over 2,000 US adults, the findings reveal how this widespread misunderstanding leads to unnecessary food waste. With the dual challenges of rising grocery prices and the ongoing cost of living crisis, empowering consumers with the right knowledge can help reduce food waste, protect the environment, and ease financial pressures.

The Trouble with Trusting Food Labels

Low Confidence in Food Safety Decisions

• 60% of respondents feel people lack confidence in determining food safety, while 52% believe we’ve become increasingly disconnected from our food.
• Nearly half (46%) admit to throwing away food they weren’t sure was safe to eat.

This lack of trust means perfectly good food is often discarded unnecessarily.

Generational Gaps in Label Understanding

• 60% of respondents feel people lack confidence in determining food safety, while 52% believe we’ve become increasingly disconnected from our food.
• Nearly half (46%) admit to throwing away food they weren’t sure was safe to eat.

Environmental and Economic Consequences

• Misunderstanding food labels doesn’t just waste food—it wastes resources. Saving just one meal prevents 2.7 kg of CO2 emissions, conserves 810 liters of water, and saves 2.8 m² of land use annually.
• Food waste contributes to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, costing society a jaw-dropping $1.1 trillion annually.

How You Can Help Reduce Food Waste This Thanksgiving

With a little bit of education and mindfulness, we can all play a role in reducing food waste this holiday season. Here’s how:

1. Understand Food Date Labels

• “Best before” or “best by”: Indicates the product’s peak quality, not safety. Food is still safe to eat after this date if stored properly.
• “Use by”: Refers to safety. Follow this date for highly perishable items like dairy, meat, and seafood.
• Trust your senses: Look, smell, and taste food before deciding to throw it away.

2. Plan Smart

• Create a detailed shopping list and stick to it. Avoid overbuying and plan meals around what you already have at home.

3. Store Food Properly

• Extend the life of leftovers and holiday staples by storing them in airtight containers or freezing them.

4. Get Creative with Leftovers

• Transform extra turkey, vegetables, and sides into new meals, reducing waste and saving money.

5. Share the Knowledge

• Talk to friends and family about the environmental and financial impacts of food waste. Encourage them to educate themselves about date labels.

REDUCE FOOD WASTE AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Understanding Best if Used By dates can help avoid unnecessary wastage. 20% of consumer food waste in the US results from misunderstanding date labels, (FDA, 2024). Since Best if Used By dates are just freshness indicators, we encourage you to trust your senses before throwing away perfectly good food. By reducing food waste, you not only save money by making the most of what you buy but also help avoid CO2e emissions and the unnecessary use of valuable resources like water and land. Every small action counts in our collective efforts to help save the planet.

together, we can make a difference

This Thanksgiving, let’s make our celebrations not only enjoyable but also mindful of waste. By understanding food date labels and making thoughtful choices, we can reduce food waste, support the environment, and save money—all while appreciating the abundance around us.

Take a step toward less waste by downloading the Too Good To Go app, where you can learn simple ways to save food, money, and resources. Every effort makes a difference!

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