Conducted in collaboration with End Food Waste Australia, the mixed-methods study found that clear, concise, and visually distinct date labels, combined with effective storage guidance, play a crucial role in reducing food waste. 

The research highlights significant gaps in consumer understanding of “Use By” and “Best Before” labels, particularly about food safety and consumer reliance on sensory cues. To address this, the study explored a range of design interventions, including the use of icons, traffic light coding, sensory testing prompts, text-based cues, QR codes, and freezing advice. 

Each labelling solution was evaluated for its barriers, implications, and the perspectives of key stakeholders. Consumers prioritised ease of use and waste reduction, while industry representatives focused on safety, regulatory compliance, and logistics. 

Based on the findings, the study recommends implementing: 

• Visual and colour-coded cues 

• Easy-to-interpret labelling formats 

• Consistent labelling standards across the industry 

• Flexible solutions tailored to different food categories 

In 2024, California passed a Bill (AB-660) to restrict the durability statements used on products to cut food waste in the state. This move standardised the labelling with only 2 options: “Best if used by” and “use by” to set clear standards for consumers. The movement towards clearer food labelling is expected to save 70,000 tonnes of food annually.  

To help improve food safety and reduce household food waste, it is being widely encouraged for manufacturers to assess their use-by and best-before dating, enhance their packaging and evaluate storage design strategies.  Evaluating and improving storage design strategies both in labelling and packaging, these combined efforts not only help reduce waste but also ensure food safety remains a top priority.