Martina: the problem of food waste cannot be solved by removing a label

The European Union is considering some issues related to expiry dates of some food products. It would be better to eliminate it for some, given that we do not really need it and that it could be source of unnecessary waste. This is what the Netherlands and Sweden affirm, with the support of Germany and Luxembourg; they would remove from some products such as pasta, rice or coffee the “best before” indication. It could in fact lead to misconceptions, said the Dutch Agriculture Minister, Sharon Dijksma, at the end of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council: “it creates confusion for the consumer, who thinks the indication concerns the safety of the product – while it is not like that.” The mechanism started in consumers’ minds, said the Dutch Minister, is as follows: when the product exceed the “best before” date, you need to throw it away because it is toxic. “But it is not like that.” According to Dijksma, there are some products that can be eaten beyond their “best before” date, without “useless food waste.” Italy accepted the challenge, with some reserves yet. “We are available to talk about the issue and go deep into it, but we’ll keep a prudent approach,” said the Italian Agriculture Minister, Maurizio Martina. “I do no think that the problem of food waste can be solved with a single tool,” he added, “we need a wider area for intervening.” Minister Martina guessed producers could be involved, with “companies with more effective production.”

Dealing with producers: the debate was also about Coldiretti (Federation of Italian Producers) which denounced “the same old attempt by northern Europe states to level food on our tables down to a lower quality standard, with the excuse of reducing food waste.” According to the Federation, in fact, “removing the ‘best before’ date the European Union actually reducing the quality of the food sold in Europe,” and it would better think before pursuing the idea. “I can understand the sensitivity of Italian agriculture associations,” said Martina leaving Brussels. Italy accepted the debated and promised it would work on the report, which is going to be in Italian hands in any case from July 1 – the date in which Italy will assume the Presidency of the Council.

In the meantime, the European Commission is working on a proposal on the matter. The task force should present a general strategy within half of June, including the legal aspects connected with food safety, health and environment. Yet, the issue dealing with the “best before” date could be ready for discussion even “within the end of the month,” according to Minister Dijksma. That is, next week part of the European strategy could be fixed already. Martina did not get perturbed at all: “As I already said, we are in the debate, and I think that Expo2014 could be the real opportunity for discussing the issue of food waste.” Going beyond the mere tool of a “best before” date. “I do not think the issue could be solve just removing a label.”