Studio brief 02 - Product, range and distribution - Target audience research (3)

A very current article posted by "the verge"'s website addresses the issue of labelling and how it affects the way we shop and consume products.

There is a lot of miscommunication and confusion when it comes to sell by dates on various products meaning an effect on waste. There has been encouragement to manufacturers and retailers to bring more clarity to packaging labels with there being  10 different labels such as  sell by to “use by,” “expires on,” and best before which is a large part of where the miscommunication comes from.

the use of "use by" refers to perishables which shouldn't be eaten after the printed 
date printed on the packaging. “Best if used by” means that a food may not taste or look as it should at its peak quality, but is still safe to consume.

Environmental campaigners and groups have presented the importance of clarity within products with the concern towards  environmental issues that are created, by the mass misunderstanding expiration dates and trashing good food is also bad for your wallet.

By Eliminating this common  confusion for consumers with the use of common product date phrasing there are many issues can be resolved. There are many benefits such as supermarkets making more and more consumers being able to access more food. 

the appearance of food is the best indicator for how edible produce is, with better information and consideration from higher ups within the food and production industry as well as better informed design, there could be significant change within how we view the the quality of food. The more food food that is kept in the fridge rather than in large landfills which greatly effect the environment. 

The Daily Mail also addressed the various foods which are safe to consume after the 'best before' date and what is unsafe to consume and addressing misconceptions of safety.

Alcohol, chocolate, beer, crisps are proven not to dangerous way past their date, jam and honey they are self preserving and can't really go off, dry pasta won\t go off if stored correctly etc, even eggs are safe for consumption way after there date,  however this kind of fact is not common knowledge and the issue of safety comes into concern, the highlighted awareness of this could make a big change in the consumption and way that food is bought. 
                                                                 

Considerations

Giving clarity and trust to products towards consumers and assuring quality is vital to how food is