by Michael Smith (Veshengro)
The idea that supermarket special-offers cause a large amount of food waste has been exposed as a myth by a new, Government-backed report.
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) is highlighting research conducted by waste reduction body WRAP which found that, while just under half of shoppers (44 %) think buying food on offer leads to a greater amount being thrown away, one in 25 (4%) actually wasted food bought as part of a promotion during the survey period.
The survey also showed the most common type of promotion is a straight price reduction. "Buy one get one free" (BOGOF) offers account for less than 2% of all products bought.
Personally I only buy BOGOF offers, probably in the same way as the majority, when they are of use, so to speak. On the food level if it is something that can be frozen or is in jars or cans that will last for a while then I will buy it. Fresh fruit and veg, however, are only bought, and should only be bought, if one will make use of them more or less immediately. Unless, that is to say, one does do one's own canning and preserving.
The BRC says the debate about food waste should focus on helping households to reduce the amount they throw away rather than blaming retail practices. The report builds on recent figures published by WRAP showing a 13% decrease in household food waste over the past three years.
British Retail Consortium head of environment, Bob Gordon, says: "This research is extremely helpful. It clearly shows that, while people assume other shoppers are wasting food they buy on promotion, over 90% are not wasting it themselves. Households throw away 30% of the food they buy. This new evidence demonstrates BOGOFs are not to blame.
"The amount of food waste produced by households has been coming down – with the help of retailers – but there's more to do. Our critics should join us in addressing the real reasons for food waste. We need to educate people to shop smarter and do better at managing the storage and use of food in their homes rather than blaming promotions.
"Price competition between the supermarkets is keeping costs down for hard-pressed consumers at a time when fuel and utility bills are sky-high. There are loads of promotions on the shelves because they're highly valued by customers. Let's stop wasting time talking about promotions causing food waste when it's clearly not the issue."
Our biggest problem as regards to food waste is not so much a case of retail practices but a case of people (1) not understanding “use by” and “best before” dates, and also (2) a case of people not being able cook properly anymore and have no idea as to how to use leftovers.
Education is the main cause of action that needs to be taken, more education than what has been there already. WRAP would do well to publish a free cookery book on the use of leftovers. This might just go some way to reducing food waste in the home.
© 2011
