Asda announces big change to its customers, here's all you need to know

As reported by The Guardian, starting from September 1, 2022, Asda’s stores everywhere in the U.K. will stop using best before stickers altogether on almost 250 of its products including fruits and vegetables.

Instead of best before dates, Asda will use a system of codes accessible to the store staff so that they can ensure that everything on the shop floor maintains its quality and freshness.

Reducing food waste is the main reason for the new changes at Asda

Asda's press release shows that the main reason for this big move is to reduce food waste. In the U.K. alone, food waste contributes about 36 million tonnes of GHG emissions, as shown by the data from WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme).

Another statistic by WRAP shows that the average U.K. family throws away about £60 worth of grocery items every month. According to Asda, removing the best before dates would encourage customers to decide if the food is edible instead of throwing it away just because of the best before sticker.

The press release quotes Andy Cockshaw, Head of Technical at Asda IPL who said:

Reducing food waste in our business and in customers’ homes is a priority and we are always looking at different ways to achieve this.

He further talked about the current cost of living crisis and stated,

We know for customers this has become more important than ever in the current climate as many families are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and are looking to make savings wherever they can.

Asda would also provide further guidance to its customers on food quality and preparation online as well as on packaging.

Asda is not the first supermarket to do this

Asda’s current announcement follows changes made by other departmental stores earlier this year. According to The Guardian,Tesco was one of the first supermarkets to make this change in their shopping aisles in 2018.

Also, back in July, Marks & Spencer’s had removed the best before dates from its fruits and vegetables. And even supermarket chain Waitrose did the same earlier this month. This January, Morrison had done the same by encouraging its customers to do the “sniff test” on their milk instead of only following the best before dates printed on the carton.

With the current changes, Asda intends to become a zero waste business and send zero waste to landfills. They claim that removing best before labels is a way for Asda to target a 20% reduction in waste by 2025.

Read more:

⋙ Asda, Morrisons: Supermarkets helping to feed struggling families, here's how you can save on groceries

⋙ ASDA renames 'feminine hygiene' aisle to 'period products'

⋙ Supermarkets are removing ‘best before dates’ from some items. Here’s why