Confusing Food Labels Costing Average Australian Household $2,500 a Year: Study

Food waste costs Australia $36.6 billion a year, with households responsible for nearly 30 percent—around 2.5 million tonnes.

A woman grabs a bottle of milk in a supermarket in Perth, Western Australia, on March 16, 2024. Susan Mortimer/The Epoch Times

Australians are discarding vast quantities of edible food due to vague and inconsistent packaging, costing households up to $2,500 a year, according to new research.

A joint study by RMIT University and End Food Waste Australia has highlighted how unclear labelling—particularly around expiry dates and storage guidance—is driving unnecessary food waste.

The findings come as food waste in the country reaches staggering levels, with an estimated 7.6 million tonnes discarded annually.

That’s around 312 kilograms per person, according to Foodbank Australia.

Lead author Associate Professor Lukas Parker said the current labelling system is failing consumers.

“Shoppers don’t want to waste food or money. They’re being let down by labels that don’t give them the information they need to make the right call,” he said.

“Australian shoppers deserve better than this. It’s time for a consistent, clear system that helps people make smarter choices, saves money and keeps good food out of the bin.”

Push for Reform Despite Industry Hesitation

The research involved consumer workshops and aimed to identify how labelling and storage instructions could be improved.

Recommendations include larger fonts, clearer icons, and standardised “use by” and “best before” dates to help consumers make informed decisions.

However, the report also revealed resistance from within the food industry. Concerns were raised about the costs involved in updating labels, potential compliance issues, and regulatory hurdles.

End Food Waste Australia CEO Tristan Butt stressed the need for coordinated national action.

“Clear, consistent date labelling is one of the most cost-effective and scalable ways to reduce household food waste, but it won’t happen without industry-wide collaboration,” he said.

“This single change could prevent nearly a million tonnes of food waste by 2030.”

Butt also pointed to successful reforms overseas.

“The UK’s retail sector has already proven this change is possible without compromising food safety. It’s time we did the same.”

National Strategy Faces Uphill Battle

Households are the largest contributors to food waste in Australia, accounting for nearly 30 percent of the total—about 2.5 million tonnes each year.

According to the National Food Waste Strategy Feasibility Study, the national economic cost of food waste sits at $36.6 billion annually.

Beyond financial loss, food waste also carries environmental consequences. Roughly 3 percent of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions stem from wasted food.

Around 2,600 gigalitres of water—equal to five Sydney Harbours—are used annually to produce food that ends up in the bin. More than 25 million hectares of land, an area larger than Victoria, are used to grow food that is ultimately wasted.

The next phase of the National Date Labelling and Storage Advice Project will involve collaboration between government, supermarkets and food manufacturers to co-design and trial a standardised national labelling framework.

The initiative is part of Australia’s broader goal to halve food waste by 2030, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.