Luo Yunbo: Near-expiry food is hotly debated, the market is hot but don’t let it go bad

Professor Luo Yunbo

Honorary Vice President of Chinese Society of Food Science and Technology

Director of Special Food Research Center, China Agricultural University

Expert opinion 1: Compliance with the regulations on the sale of near-expiry food can reduce food waste

Food waste is also a hot topic. Near-expiry food usually refers to pre-packaged food that has reached its shelf life but has not exceeded it. According to the Food Safety Law, pre-packaged food should indicate the production date and shelf life of the product. According to the National Food Safety Standard General Rules for Pre-packaged Food Labeling (GB 7718-2011), the shelf life of pre-packaged food refers to the period during which the quality is maintained under the storage conditions specified on the food label. During this period, the product is fully suitable for sale and maintains the unique qualities that do not need to be stated or have been stated on the label. Therefore, near-expiry food under correct storage conditions can be sold normally, its food safety can be guaranteed, and the quality of the food is in a relatively stable state. Near-expiry food is safe and can be sold. There is an essential difference between near-expiry food and expired food. Food operators sell near-expiry food in a centralized manner through discounts and promotions. While effectively avoiding food waste and economic losses, it also meets the needs of some consumers for high-quality and low-priced goods.

Expert suggestion 2: The market for near-expiry foods is developing rapidly, exposing some problems

According to relevant data, the scale of China's near-expiry food market in 2020 is about 30 billion yuan. While near-expiry food is developing rapidly, it has also exposed some problems in three aspects:

1. Driven by profit, some unscrupulous merchants tamper with the production date of near-expiry foods and use expired foods to impersonate near-expiry foods.

2. Some consumers lack the knowledge and experience to select near-expiry foods. They buy a large amount of near-expiry foods at one time, but are unable to consume them within the shelf life, resulting in waste.

3. There is currently no clear critical classification standard for defining near-expiry food, and the government lacks the corresponding law enforcement basis in its supervision. These are some of the existing problems.

Expert opinion 3: The state attaches great importance to the supervision of near-expiry food and is gradually strengthening it.

The "Opinions on Deepening Reforms and Strengthening Food Safety Work" issued by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council in May 2019 pointed out that it is necessary to urge companies to strictly implement the purchase inspection and record system and shelf life labeling regulations, and strictly investigate the refurbishment and sale of near-expiry and expired foods.

The "Anti-Food Waste Law of the People's Republic of China" promulgated and implemented in 2021 stipulates that supermarkets, shopping malls and other food operators should strengthen daily inspections of the foods they operate, classify and manage foods that are approaching their expiration date, and make special marks or display them in a centralized manner for sale.

Through policy supervision, regulation and guidance, my country has made the concept of near-expiry food known to more consumers and is promoting the standardized development of the near-expiry food market.

Picture丨TuChong Creative

Expert suggestion 1: Near-expiry foods should be managed by category, specially labeled or displayed in a centralized manner

Food business operators should establish a good food purchase inspection record system, truthfully record the name, specifications, quantity, production date or production batch number, shelf life, etc. Regular food and near-expiry food should be properly classified and marked or displayed together when sold, so that consumers can buy clearly and eat with peace of mind.

Expert suggestion 2: Improve the management of near-expiry food and strengthen market supervision

Relevant national departments should study and formulate relevant management systems for near-expiry foods, define the period of near-expiry foods, and clarify industry entry barriers and business norms. At the same time, it is recommended to focus on the supervision of near-expiry foods, conduct special inspections regularly, and strictly investigate illegal activities such as "refurbishing and selling near-expiry and expired foods."

Expert advice three: Purchase through formal channels and consume scientifically and rationally

When purchasing near-expiry food, consumers should choose regular channels, check food labels carefully to ensure that it is within the shelf life, verify storage conditions, and confirm that the packaging is not damaged, bulging, or leaking. In addition, purchases should be made on demand to avoid large-scale stockpiling.

The above are three suggestions. It can be said that expiring food is a hot phenomenon. I hope everyone can pay attention to it, consume rationally, and truly understand expiring food.

The "Scientific Interpretation of Food Safety and Health Hot Topics Media Communication Conference" has been held for 10 consecutive years since 2012. Every year, authoritative experts are invited to provide scientific interpretations of the annual food safety and health hot topics. In the form of "consensus in the scientific and technological community", it is widely disseminated through mainstream media and new media, such as television, newspapers, the Internet, Weibo, WeChat, etc. With scientific truth and fair suggestions, we will guide the public opinion on food safety in my country to gradually change in a scientific, objective and rigorous direction, and convey the positive energy of China's food safety.