Germany wants to replace expiration dates (BBDs) with smart labels that change color when the product is no longer edible.
To fight against food waste, Germany is banking on innovation. The country’s authorities plan to remove the expiration dates (DLC) on packaging and replace them with smart labels.
Germany is one of the most spoiling countries in Europe. While in France, a resident throws away 20 to 30 kg of food per year, or 10 billion euros thrown out of windows and 18 billion meals lost, a German throws about 80 kg of food in the trash.
The country has given itself 3 years to remedy this and has invested more than 10 million euros to develop smart chips integrated into packaging. The principle is simple: when the food deteriorates, a diode changes color. The Netherlands would also be interested in this system.
Develop innovative packaging
This technology would thus make it possible to avoid the waste of edible foods which have exceeded their shelf life. Because, many foods can still be eaten several days after their theoretical expiration date without risk to health.
To reduce waste, research teams are trying toincrease the shelf life of perishable food products, in particular by developing more efficient packaging. Thus, some are developing packaging that acts as an oxygen barrier, others are developing packaging that trap or release substances such as CO2 to delay the appearance of bacteria.
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