Asda and Tesco Remove Best Before Dates to Combat Food Waste
What happened
Asda and Tesco removed best before dates from a range of products on October 11, 2026. This move follows a trend where several UK supermarkets, including Marks & Spencer and Waitrose, began removing dates a year earlier to tackle food waste. The change is intended to reduce waste caused by shoppers mistakenly discarding edible products.
Why it matters
The change is expected to save thousands of tonnes of food from being discarded each year, according to the Waste and Resources Action Programme. This move is part of ongoing competition among retailers like Asda and Tesco regarding product freshness and shelf life. Experts advise that use by dates, typically found on meat and dairy, indicate when a product might no longer be safe to eat.
Asda, Tesco, and Waitrose are engaged in competition regarding produce freshness, shelf life, and pricing.
Who's involved
- AsdaBritish supermarket chain that removed best before dates.
- TescoBritish multinational retailer that removed best before dates.
- Marks & SpencerBritish retailer that previously removed dates alongside Asda and Tesco.
- Food Standards AgencyGovernment department that regulates product safety in the United Kingdom.
Who could feel it
Possible knock-on effectsThese are possibilities Brind reasoned out, not predictions, and not advice. Most are not stated in any report.
- AldiSpeculative
Discount retailers might face shifts in market share due to competitors' changes in product labeling and shelf life.