A poll of 2,000 UK adults by GS1 UK found that over half of UK adults (51%) say they have “unknowingly” bought out-of-date food from a supermarket, while a similar amount (49%) said food goes off before they can use it. The research showed that a third (33%) forget it is in their fridge and one in five (20%) have misjudged portion sizes.
The average adult in the UK throws away groceries worth £17.90 a month – the equivalent of £214.27 every year and £11.8 billion in total.
The study also revealed that 66% of people admit to binning food because they were not sure if it was safe to eat. Among 18 to 24-year-olds it increased to 83% who admitted to throwing away produce they were unsure about – totalling £309 in discarded food each year. Those aged 25-to-34 waste even more, averaging £409 annually – nearly double the national average.
Three-quarters (75%) of adults surveyed believe clearer labelling would help reduce waste, and 71% said supermarkets must do more to tackle the issue.
More than a quarter (28%) felt guilty about the produce they throw away and 43% said it was a waste of money.
Consumers also said they wanted retailers to act more responsibly with 72% wanting food nearing its use-by date donated to charities and 69% support discounting near-expiry items.
Anne Godfrey, chief executive of GS1 UK, said: “These findings highlight the need for clearer guidance and more solutions to tackle food waste.”
“Recent supermarket fines prove just how important accurate stock management and clear labelling are.
“UK retailers must address the food waste challenge head on and adopt smarter solutions that empower consumers to waste less and make better-informed choices.”
Colin Peacock, Group Strategic Coordinator at ECR Retail Loss, a platform for collaboration for retailers, producers and academics, has suggested that QR codes with information could be a solution.
