The report addresses how date labels are determined and applied with focus on reducing food waste in the Nordic countries. This was assessed through a survey and selected interviews with Nordic food manufacturers about their considerations when deciding the date label. Another objective has been to distinguish if there are differences in the way food safety authorities interpret legislation. The results from the study indicate that there are differences between the countries in terms of both the practice of guidelines and the shelf life of food.

The report is part of the Nordic Prime Ministers’ overall green growth initiative: “The Nordic Region – leading in green growth” – read more in the web magazine “Green Growth the Nordic Way” at www.nordicway.org or at www.norden.org/greengrowth