FOOD WASTE The large-scale consumer study for Germany, Austria and Switzerland - Danone
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FOOD July 2021 WASTE The large-scale consumer study for Germany, Austria and Switzerland
DANONE UND TOO GOOD TO GO TOGETHER IN THE FIGHT AGAINST
FOODWASTE
WHAT?
According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of
the United Nations (FAO), 30% of the world's food is HOW?
wasted throughout the supply chain, contributing to
8% of total global greenhouse gas emissions. A total of The test subjects were recruited out of the
1.3 billion tonnes of edible food is unnecessarily thrown INNOFACT Consumer Panel. A random sample
away every year, while 135 million people are at risk of of subjects were invited via mail and were able
severe hunger.¹ to participate in an online questionnaire.
Multiple participation was excluded.
What is the state of awareness of food waste in
Germany, Austria and Switzerland? What do consumers In Germany and in Switzerland respectively
see as the need for action and what measures are n=1000 interviewees participated in the survey
already being taken? How do Germans, Austrians and via an online questionnaire, in Austria n = 1.014
Swiss shop their groceries and what do they do with interviewees were part of the study.
expired food?
The study was representative in terms of age,
WHO?
These and other questions are to be answered within gender, region, education and occupational
the framework of the large-scale food waste country situation and includes only people who are at
The study was conducted on
study. least partly responsible for food purchase.
behalf of Danone and Too Good
To Go in June 2021 in Germany,
Austria and Switzerland.
It was carried out by the market
research institute INNOFACT.
¹ Source: UN World Food Program, April 2020
RESEARCH RESULTS
TOP 3 FOOD BUYING FACTORS
We would like to know which factors matter to you when you shop for food.
Please rank the criteria listed in order of personal importance from top (most important) to bottom (least important).
DE AT CH
taste taste taste
59% 56% 54%
attractive
price regionality It‘s healthy
38% 37% 41%
It‘s healthy attractive
It‘s healthy
price
37% 33% 35%
FOOD PURCHASING FACTORS
We would like to know which factors matter to you when you shop for food.
Please rank the criteria listed in order of personal importance from top (most important) to bottom (least important).
Selection among the top 3 factors
taste 59
5456
it's healthy 33 37 41
attractive price 3335 38
The taste is the most important
24
regionality
28 37 purchasing factor in all three
shelf-life 2123 25
countries.
portion/pack size 17
16 19 This is followed with some distance by
organic product 14 the health aspect and an attractive
16 20 price.
low packaging waste
1314
easy to prepare 13 In Austria, regionality and organic
12 quality play a much greater role than
packaging that's as environmentally friendly as 1011
possible 11 in Germany and Switzerland.
appearance 9 11
12 DE Germans, on the other hand, pay
12
brand 8 much more attention to food brands
7 when shopping.
fair working conditions along the value chain 7
resource-saving manufacturing 5 87 AT
premium product 567
5 7
low CO2 footprint 6
CH
4 6
Vegan 4
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
Significant difference from all other countriesDECISION CRITERIA FOR PURCHASING FOOD
Please indicate if you agree or disagree with the following statements:
(top 2 on a scale of 1 = totally agree and 5 = don't agree at all)
DE AT CH
I'm careful not to waste/throw food away. C 81% AC 87% 75%
When shopping, I make sure food I buy comes from the Almost 9 out of 10 respondents in
60% AC 68% 58%
region. Austria are careful not to waste food
and make sure food comes from the
I keep a shopping list and stick to it for the most part. C 62% C 64% 54%
region – significantly more than in
Germany and Switzerland.
I prefer to buy smaller quantities to avoid food going bad. C 61% 60% 56%
And additionally, Austrians are usually
I make sure that minimum packaging has been used. C 56% C 59% 46% slightly more aware when it comes to
sustainability aspects.
I am willing to pay more for food if it's sustainable. 52% AC 58% 49%
The Swiss are much less likely to pay
I buy ahead. 49% AC 57% 46% attention to the fact that there is
minimum packaging and no plastic is
When buying food, I look for sustainable packaging. 49% C 52% 47% used.
When shopping, I make sure that food is not packaged in
C 47% AC 53% 43%
plastic.
When buying food, I pay attention to sustainability seals such AC
41% 48% 42%
as e.g. (EU) organic seal, Demeter and the blue angel, etc.
I prefer to buy larger quantities to save on packaging. 38% AC 44% 35%
I don't plan my shopping, but prefer to buy spontaneously. 28% 34% 32%
A, B, C Significant difference among single countries Significant difference from all other countries86
Of those surveyed
in in D-A-CH region
consider food waste
to be a major or
very major problem
– women tend
to be even more
concerned than men.PROBLEM OF FOOD WASTE IN MY COUNTRY
How big would you rate the problem of food waste here in the country?
In Germany and Austria, about 85% of
respondents consider food waste a
(very) big problem in their country.
In Switzerland, the problem is
considered to be much less severe
(78% top 2).
Women rate foodwaste as a bigger
problem than men (especially in
Germany and Austria).
Significant difference from all other countriesIMPACT OF FOOD WASTE ON THE ENVIRONMENT
How big do you estimate the impact of food waste on various environmental aspects (e.g. Climate)?
(Top 2 on a scale from 1 = Very big impact to 5 = Very small impact)
Almost two thirds of Germans
consider the impact on the DE About two thirds of the respondents
environment to be (very) big. in Austria and Germany consider the
impact of food waste on various
environmental aspects to be (very)
63% high.
In Switzerland, the figure is just under
60% (and thus significantly lower than
About as many Austrians as in Austria).
AT Germans rate the impact on
the environment as (very) big. "Food waste has a (very) big impact on
various environmental aspects"
In Switzerland, the impact
on the environment is estimated to be CH
significantly lower than in Austria.
.
66%
59%IMPACT OF FOOD WASTE ON THE ENVIRONMENT
How big do you estimate the impact of food waste on various environmental aspects (e.g. Climate)?
About two thirds of the respondents
in Austria and Germany consider the
impact of food waste on various
environmental aspects to be (very)
big.
In Switzerland, the rate is just under
60% (significantly lower than in
Austria).
Significant difference from all other countries45
of the respondents
consider it
unethical to waste
food.PROBLEM OF FOOD WASTE
What do you make of the food waste problem?
DE AT CH
45% of respondents state that it is
It is ethically unacceptable ethically unacceptable to waste food,
45% 40% 40%
to waste food another 35% complain about the
waste of environmental resources.
Almost one in five sees the problem of
Environmental resources
35% 40% 38% food waste primarily as producers
are wasted
and manufacturers wasting
resources.
Producers and
manufacturers’ resources 18% 18% 19%
are wasted83 of respondents think it is important to take personal action against food waste.
PEOPLE AND INSTITUTIONS FOOD WASTE PREVENTION
How important is it to you that the following institutions and people try to avoid food waste or take action against food waste?
In all countries, the respondents agree
that the responsibility is a shared one.
On the one hand, it is important to the
participants that they themselves try
to avoid food waste. On the other
hand, they also see a responsibility on
the part of food retailers and
restaurants.
In Switzerland, almost all individuals
and institutions are considered to have
a significantly lower level of
responsibility, while Austrians tend to
rate almost all of them as having a
significantly higher level of
responsibility.
Significant difference from all other countriesACTIVE COMMITMENT AGAINST FOOD WASTE
In your opinion, to what extent are the following institutions and people actively doing something about food waste or to what
extent are these institutions and people trying to avoid food waste?
74
Myself 77
61
52 When it comes to active prevention of
Other people in my household 51
food waste, respondents in all three
50
countries see themselves as the most
47 committed (in Switzerland, however,
Friends/acquaintances/other relatives 51
36 this is significantly lower than in
35 Germany and Austria).
Agriculture as food producers 35
33
This is followed by other people in
The food retail trade
26
26 the household or people from the
27 circle of family and friends.
27
Food service (also catering, canteens) 25 About a third think that agriculture is
25
actively doing something and more
25 DE than a quarter ascribe an active role
Colleagues at work 24
26 to the food retail trade against food
23
waste.
The industry as food manufacturers 22
23 AT
22
Employers 21
23
19 CH
Legisla tors 21
19
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Significant difference from all other countries49
of the respondents in
the D-A-CH region
would like to see
information on
packaging that better
explains the best-
before dateMEASURES TAKEN BY FOOD PRODUCERS
What would you like companies that make, process or distribute food to do to motivate others to fight food waste?
In Germany, especially, respondents
would like to see better explanations
of best- before on food packaging,
but in Austria, too, more than half of
the respondents would support a
better explanation of the Best Before
Date.
Around one in two people in all three
countries would like all processes
within a company, and with all
players involved, to be adjusted to
minimise food waste, as well as an
explanation and tangible
information to customers through
appropriate info-literature.AVERAGE FOOD THROWN WAY PER WEEK
Please estimate: how much food do you throw away on average in a week, apart from the skins of fruit etc., Or parts that are
not edible?
The majority of respondents throw
away 1-2 handfuls of food a week,
15% even 3-5 handfuls.
However, a quarter of respondents do
not throw any food away.
Significant difference from all other countriesPERCENTAGE OF FOOD THROWN AWAY PER YEAR
Did you know that globally, a third of all food is thrown away and in Germany/Austria/Switzerland, 6.7 million/521,000
thousand/1.9 million tonnes annually? Please indicate, in your estimate, what proportion of food waste is avoidable in
Germany/Austria/Switzerland.
Food thrown Estimate of the
away per year: avoidable food waste
per year:
6,7 mio. In all three countries, respondents
estimate that the disposal of around
tonnes 47% half of the food thrown away could
(56%) 521k have been avoided.
tonnes This means that the estimate is below
the actual value of food thrown
(52%) away.
DE
1,9 Mio. 48%
tonnes 51%
AT
(67%)
CH
Significant difference from all other countriesRespondents mainly throw away BREAD, FRUIT and LEFTOVERS of prepared food.
DISCARDED FOOD BY CATEGORY
Please indicate how often the various product groups are thrown away or disposed of in your household.
(At least occasionally on a 5-point scale from Frequently to I don't buy it)
Most often, fruit, bread and leftovers
from food already prepared are
thrown away at home, but this is far
less common in Switzerland than in
Germany and Austria.
The Swiss are also significantly less
wasteful when it comes to disposing
of dairy products (including cheese)
and sausage products.
Canned goods, vegetables and alcohol
are the least likely to be thrown away.
Significant difference from all other countriesMAIN ROLE PLAYED BY THE BEST BEFORE DATE IN THE
THROW-AWAY DECISION
For which of these product groups does the best before date play a major role when you decide
to throw something away or not?
DE AT CH
Meat and Sausages 57% 53% 55%
Eggs/egg-containing products 50% 43% 49%
Across all countries, around 55% of
Dairy products (such as yogurt 49% 46% 46% respondents state that the best
and curd cheese, etc.) before date plays the main role in the
17% decision whether to throw away meat
Bread and pasta 24% 13%
and sausage products.
Other refrigerated ready-to- 22% 15% 16% For half of the Germans and Swiss, the
eat products
best before date is also the main
Spreads (e.g. jam) 15% 19% 12% criterion for eggs, while in Austria it is
the main factor for only 43%. Almost
one in two respondents uses the best
Juices/beverages 16% 12% 16%
before date as a guide when deciding
whether to throw away dairy
Sweets & snacks 10% 7% 7% products.
Other 3% 1% 2%
Best before date doesn't 25%
22% 20%
matter
Significant difference from all other countriesREASONS FOR THROWING AWAY FOOD
How often do the following reasons apply to you when throwing food away?
(At least occasionally on a 4-point scale from Frequently to Never)
The most common reasons for
throwing away food are spoiled
products (much less common in
Switzerland), uncertainty about
freshness/edibility of the product or
that the product no longer looks
appetising.
In Switzerland, all reasons tend to be
given or are given significantly less
often.THROWING AWAY DAIRY PRODUCTS/PLANT-BASED
MILK ALTERNATIVES
HOW OFTEN DO THE FOLLOWING REASONS APPLY TO YOU WHEN THROWING AWAY DAIRY PRODUCTS AND PLANT-BASED MILK
ALTERNATIVES? (At least occasionally on a 4-point scale from Frequently to Never)
At least an occasional reason
I'm not sure whether the product is still fresh/edible 40 45
The products went off too quickly (e.g. fruit/vegetables and meat) 43
34
The best before date (BBD) has expired 34
31
It doesn't look appetising anymore 32
27
Forgot about the products or lost track of the BBD
26 29
The products were already off/spoiled or damaged when I bought them 24
27 The most common reasons for
27 throwing away dairy products or
Cooked too long (and don't want to save it) 22 plant-based milk alternatives is
When shopping, I don't look at the shelf life 22
25 uncertainty about
25 freshness/edibility, products have
I didn't store the product properly 21 gone bad/spoiled too quickly or that
Bought too much/got the quantity wrong 22
24 the best before date has expired.
Bought product because it was on offer (and not because needed or planned to buy) 20 23 Here, too, the reasons are given less
I don't like the product (anymore) 23 frequently in Switzerland (in certain
18 DE cases to a significant degree).
I received food/products as a gift 18 23
I want to make space/clear out the fridge 20
19
I bought the products by mistake
17
22 AT
No ideas how to cook with it
17 22
No longer season-relevant (e.g. Christmas cookies/chocolates)
16 20
CH
Something else 4
3
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
Significant difference from all other countriesTOP 3 - MEASURES AGAINST FOOD WASTE
Which of the following possible measures would personally help you to throw away less food? Multiple answers possible.
Significant difference from all other countriesMEASURES AGAINST FOOD WASTE
Which of the following possible measures would personally help you to throw away less food? Multiple answers possible.
More specific information on the subject of food waste ... 39
44
... from food retailers 20
21
... from manufacturers 21
19
... through the media 22
17
... from government agencies 1618
... from campaigns/associations 12
15
Simplified donating food to charitable organisations such as food banks or food sharing centres 37
29
x
Special packages when shopping that offer food with a short sell-by date at reduced prices 31 36
32
Tips for optimal storage of the product 35
Instruction on the product, explaining how to check the shelf life 32
29
Larger range of different packs/portion sizes of products, to be able to buy the quantity needed in a more targeted manner 31
29
Better information about the best before date: should be less "binding" 31
24
Tips and recipes for using leftover food 26 32
Better information about the shelf life of various product groups 30 DE
27
Larger printing of the best-before date on products 29
20
Packaging material at the supermarket for better packing of delicate fruit and vegetables during transport (to avoid
2022
damage/transport damage)
20
AT
Larger range of products that are already packaged in individual portions (e.g. 5x a portion of liver sausage in a pack) 18
14
Digital aids and solutions (e.g. apps and smart home applications) 15
1113
None of these measures would really help me 9 CH
2
Something else 3
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
Significant difference from all other countriesPERSONAL MEASURES TO FIGHT FOOD WASTE
To what extent do you take the following measures in your household to reduce the amount of food you throw away?
Correct storage of food, eating of
leftovers and the targeted purchase
of planned meals are the most
common measures to reduce food
waste in the domestic sector.
Smart solutions or the donation of
food to sharing centres are used the
least and scored 25-30% each.EVALUATION OF THE STATEMENTS ON THE BBD/USE BY DATE
Please indicate whether you think the following statements regarding the best before date (BBD) and the use by date are
correct or incorrect. (Totals > 100% possible due to rounding differences)
DE AT CH
By definition, the best before date (BBD) indicates the point in
time up to which the manufacturer guarantees that the
unopened food will retain its specific properties, such as smell, 89% 11% 89% 11% 86% 14%
taste and nutritional value, if stored correctly.
By definition, the best before date (BBD) indicates the point in
time up to which the manufacturer guarantees that the opened
food will retain its specific properties, such as smell, taste and 44% 57% 41% 59% 47% 53% While the definition of the best before
nutritional value, if stored correctly. date is widely known, there are
significantly greater difficulties with
The use by date gives a non-binding point in time by which it is the assessment of the other
64% 36% 66% 34% 65% 35%
recommended the food should be eaten. statements and an increased need for
information among consumers in the
three countries.
The use by date indicates the last day on which the food can still
be sold and eaten. 39% 62% 36% 64% 41% 59%
The BBD is specified for particularly perishable and delicate
52% 48% 49% 51% 59% 41%
foods - for example minced meat or fresh fish.
The BBD is specified for particularly perishable and delicate
foods - for example minced meat or fresh fish. 69% 31% 68% 32% 74% 27%
Statement is correct Statement is not correct Significant difference from all other countriesEVALUATION OF THE STATEMENTS ON THE BBD/USE BY DATE
Which criteria do you use to decide whether food is still edible?
80
I smell it. 81
78
74 Around 80% of all respondents check
I look at the product. 77
70 the edibility of food by smelling it.
62 Around three quarters of respondents
I try it. 59 xx
55
in Germany and Austria and 70% in
Switzerland primarily check the
60 product appearance.
I check the best before date (BBD). 61
55
Around 60% (55% in CH) try the food
51
or check the best before date.
I feel the product. 54
45 Feeling the food is used by around
one in two people as a test method.
I think about how long ago I bought the 28 DE
28
product. 25
The Germans are a bit more
If, in my opinion, it has been stored in the 14
AT courageous when it comes to tasting
refrigerator or elsewhere for too long, I throw it 12
11 than the Austrians and Swiss.
away more or less without checking.
1
Something else 1
2 CH
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Significant difference from all other countriesBEHAVIOUR WHEN THE BEST BEFORE DATE HAS EXPIRED 1
How do you behave if the best before date (BBD) has expired by three days, but the product still looks fresh and good
on the outside?
I no longer eat the product, but I ask 13
13
15
16
another person if they still want it. 12 12
I'll ask another person for their 22
21
30
32
assessment 20 28
Fruit and vegetables are used as
56 49 quickly as possible if they still look
I will eat it/use it as soon as possible. 56 49 good.
54 47
I smell it or try the product to decide if 49 55 In the case of sausage/meat, cheese
52 56 and dairy products, edibility is first
it's still good 46 51
tested by smelling and tasting and
11 26 the food is then used as soon as
I throw it away (mostly). 11
11 21
25 DE possible.
2 3 Sausage products are most likely to
Other 2 3
be thrown away out of the 4
2 4
AT categories.
12 6
I don't check the best before date. 14 7
15 8
I do not buy any products in this 4 6 CH
4 8
category 5 10
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Significant difference from all other countriesBEHAVIOUR WHEN THE BEST BEFORE DATE HAS EXPIRED 2
How do you behave if the best before date (BBD) has expired by three days, but the product still looks fresh and good
on the outside?
I no longer eat the product, but I ask 14 12
13 13
another person if they still want it. 12 12
I'll ask another person for their 25 26
assessment
25 27 Fruit and vegetables are used as
23 24
quickly as possible if they still look
53 52 good.
I will eat it/use it as soon as possible. 49 51
45 45
In the case of sausage/meat, cheese
I smell it or try the product to decide if 59 60 and dairy products, edibility is first
61 61
it's still good 54 55 tested by smelling and tasting and
the food is then used as soon as
13 17 possible.
I throw it away (mostly). 13 16 DE
13 17
Sausage products are most likely to
Other
2
3
3
2
be thrown away out of the 4
3 3 categories.
AT
8 6
I don't check the best before date. 7 7
10 8
I do not buy any products in this 4 4 CH
7 6
category 7 5
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Significant difference from all other countries34 of respondents would follow the Past-my-date note.
EVALUATION OF THE SHELF LIFE OF PRODUCTS
How do you rate the shelf life of a product when you see something like this next to the BBD?
DE AT CH
I follow the recommendation
and look, smell and try the 72% 74% 73%
product.
Three quarters of the surveyed
respondents in the respective
I ignore most of the things
15% 14% 12% countries would follow the
written on the packaging.
recommended printed date and test
the product through appearance,
I still throw it away because smell and taste.
the product has gone off
after the best before date 3% 3% 4%
Around 15% would ignore information
has expired. like this on the packaging, while
around 3% of those surveyed would
I don't know/I can't say still throw away the product because
exactly 11% 9% 10% the best before date has expired.SHELF LIFE THROUGH PACKAGING
In all three countries, around half of
the respondents prefer significantly
more unpackaged products without
Which of the following statements do you tend to agree with in this context? packaging waste and accept that the
food may not keep that long.
By contrast, significantly more Swiss
people prefer packaged products,
which may therefore have a longer
shelf life.SOCIO- DEMOGRAPHICS
SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHICS
ALL RESPONDENTS; DE N = 1,000, AT N = 1,014, CH N = 1,000.
Gender DE Age
50 49 51 50 51 49
AT 23 32 29 22 24 23 15 17 14
28 18 21
13 9 13
0,2 0,2 0,3
Male Female Other 16-29 years 30-39 years 40-49 years 50-59 years 60-69 years
CH
Profession
66 62 62 57
52 49
4 6 4 14 12 26 12 10 22 2 1 4 2 7 4 6 9 6 3 3 5 8 8 8
I work full time. I am employed I am self- I work part time. I am employed I am self- I am currently I am retired/a I am a Student (full-
employed employed unemployed pensioner housewife/stay- time)
at-home
husbandSOCIO-DEMOGRAPHICS
ALL RESPONDENTS; DE N = 1,000, AT N = 1,014, CH N = 1,000.
Net household income
Children in the household
15 18 21 17 28 24 21 22
6 7 9 13 1 1
70 72 70
1,000 to € 1,500 to € 2,000 to € 2,500 to € 3,800
Less than Rather 17 18 18
less than less than less than less than and 10 8 11 2 2 2
€ 1,000 not say
€ 1,500 € 2,000 € 2,500 € 3,800 higher
Yes, one child Yes, two children
Yes, three or
21 16 19 No under 18 years of under 18 years of
4 13 12 11 4 DE age age
more children
between
between between between between CHF
Up to CHF over CHF
CHF 2,000 CHF 4,000 CHF 6,000 CHF 8,000 10,000
1,999
and 3,999 and 5,999 and 7,999 and 9,999 and
15,000 AT
14,999
Marital status
CH People in the household
41 32 35 40 36 37
21 27 25 28 32 30 22 24 22 19 19 19
10 9 11 15 14 17 5 7 6
Not married, but 1 person (just 5 and more
Divorced or 2 people 3 people 4 people
Married in one household Single myself) people
widowed
with one partner
All respondents are responsible for grocery shopping.SUMMARY
Relevance of Food Waste when Grocery shopping
The main buying factors whey buying groceries are taste, healthy foods and attractive price.
In Austria, there is greater emphasis on regionality and organic products, while the price factor is
slightly less relevant.
When shopping, Austrians are much more likely than Germans and the Swiss to take care that no
groceries are thrown away later.
Assessment of food waste and its impact on the environment
In Germany and Austria, food waste in their own country is rated significantly higher than in
Switzerland – 85% of respondents there feel it is a very big problem, while in Switzerland only
78% think so. About two thirds of respondents in Austria and Germany and almost 60% in
Switzerland rate the impact of food waste on various environmental aspects as (very) big. Less
than 5% believe that food waste has no impact on the environment at all. Around 40% of those
surveyed consider it ethically unjustifiable to throw away food and state that this is a waste of
environmental resources.
In all three countries, around half of the respondents prefer significantly more unpackaged
products without packaging waste and accept that food may be kept for a shorter time. Only
one in four would prefer longer shelf life through packaging (this proportion is highest in
Switzerland).Food waste prevention: responsibility vs. actual commitment In all countries, respondents see themselves as responsible for avoiding food waste. The correct storage of food, eating leftovers and targeted purchasing of planned dishes are the most common measures to reduce food waste in the private sphere. Smart solutions or passing on food to food sharing stations are used least often, at 25-30% each. In addition to the importance of their own role, the respondents also see responsibility on the part of food retailers, restaurants/caterers/canteens and industrial food producers. Austria rates the importance of preventing food waste among individuals and institutions (in some cases significantly) higher than Germany and Switzerland. The Swiss indicate a significantly lower level of responsibility among almost all responsible persons/institutions. When it comes to actual, active commitment against food waste, the respondents also see themselves first and foremost. This is followed by people in their own household and their circle of acquaintances/friends, who are all seen as having a greater commitment to combating food waste than agriculture, food retailers, industrial manufacturers and the legislator. In a country comparison, the Swiss rate their own commitment and that of friends/acquaintances somewhat lower.
Starting points/aids for avoiding food waste In all 3 countries, a need for more specific information on the subject of food waste is perceived (e.g.. from the food trade, manufacturers and the media, etc.). In Germany and Austria, the second most common wish expressed is for food to be donated to charitable organisations more easily. Other important starting points in all 3 countries are the discounted sale of food with only a short best before date, as well as tips for storing food in the best way. Most of the respondents would like the industry to provide (better) information on packaging that better explains the best before date to avoid food waste at home. Additionally (in addition to general information services on the subject) company processes and cooperation with other players should be set up in such a way that food waste is reduced to a minimum.
Quantity and type of food waste
On average, the respondents in each of the 3 countries estimate that around half of the food that is
thrown away should not have been thrown away or this could have been avoided.
Almost 30% of those surveyed state that they do not throw away any food at all. However, most
respondents (around one in two) throws away 1-2 handfuls of food (apart from discarded inedible parts,
etc.) in an average week.
Typically, fruit, bread and leftovers from prepared food and vegetables are thrown away. However,
around a quarter of those surveyed also throws at least occasional dairy products away, including cheese
and meat/sausage products. In a country comparison, however, the Swiss are somewhat more cautious
and state that they throw away these five most frequently discarded food categories much less frequently.
The most common reason for throwing them away is that the products go bad or spoil too quickly and
uncertainty regarding edibility and an unappealing appearance. For dairy products and plant-based milk
alternatives, an expired best before date is also one of the main reasons.
Criteria for checking the shelf life
Around 80% of those surveyed smell food to check whether it can still be kept and at least 70% in each
country check the product primarily visually. Around 60% try the food or check the best before date.
These procedures (smelling, looking and trying) are also used especially when a food has already exceeded
its best before date. Expired food is also used as quickly as possible.
With the relevant wording “Often good for longer” on the packaging of food, almost three quarters of the
respondents would follow the recommendation and check the food again using the various senses.BBD and use by date The best before date plays a key role, especially for meat/sausage products, eggs/egg products and dairy products, when deciding whether a food should be thrown away. In Germany, the best before date plays a much greater role for bread/pasta and cold cabinet ready-to-eat products that need to be refrigerated than in Austria and Switzerland. Austrians rely much more heavily on the best before date for spreads. Regarding the best before date and the use-by date, there still seems to be a need for information in all 3 countries. Most of the respondents are aware that the best before date indicates that the manufacturer guarantees that the unopened food will retain its specific properties if stored correctly by this date. However, more than 40% wrongly assume that the manufacturer's guarantee also applies to an opened food item. In addition, around half of the respondents in DE and AT and even just under 60% of the Swiss believe that the best before date applies to particularly perishable foods, which is, however, the function of the use by date. About 70% of those surveyed know that the use by date is mandatory for particularly perishable and sensitive foods. However, there is a great deal of uncertainty about the meaning of the date and there is still room for clarification. Almost two thirds assume that it is a non-binding point in time by which the food should be eaten, although it is the last day on which it can be eaten.
July 2021 Study conducted by INNOFACT AG Research & Consulting Neuer Zollhof 3 D-40221 Düsseldorf Press Contacts Danone Germany Danone Austria Danone Switzerland Dr. Susanne Knittel Sigrid Eckhardt Philippe Aeschlimann susanne.knittel@danone.com sigrid.eckhardt@danone.com philippe.aeschlimann@danone.com +49 (0) 160 97243025 +43 (0) 67 688 211 215 +41 (0) 44 306 40 81 Too Good To Go Germany Too Good To Go Austria Too Good To Go Switzerland Johanna Paschek Stefanie Krenn Jessica Jocham jpaschek@toogoodtogo.de skrenn@toogoodtogo.at jjocham@toogoodtogo.ch +49 (0) 179 4265988 +43 (0) 67 688 832220 +41 (0) 76 230 52 93
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