Retail

Food waste in the retail sector accounts for around 7% of all food waste in the Netherlands. Some of the loss is due to a mismatch between purchasing and sales, leading to superfluous products that can no longer be sold. Researchers from Wageningen UR and retailers are exploring various other channels looking for innovative ways to use these unsold perishable products.

The Food Waste Monitor gives a detailed and systematic overview of breakdowns and destinations in regular flows in the food chain. The ‘use by’ date is an important aspect of reducing food waste. Wageningen UR has published a brochure (in Dutch) to clear up confusion about the real meaning of ‘use by’ dates.