PRODUCT LABELLING

Australian study finds that confusing labels are driving food waste

By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2025

More consistent date labels and storage advice – along with bigger print and the use of simple icons – could save consumers money.

New research from RMIT University in Melbourne and End Food Waste Australia has revealed that confusing food labels are driving Australians to throw away edible food, costing consumers money and contributing to the nation’s food waste problem. 

Photo: Edward from Pexels

The study found that clearer, more consistent date labels and storage advice – along with bigger print and the use of simple icons – could drastically reduce the amount of edible food people throw away. Each year, Australians waste 7.6-million tonnes of food, much of it still safe to eat. 

 

According to the research team, poor label design and inconsistent packaging were key reasons consumers throw out food, which could cost the average household up to US$1,600 annually. 

 

“Australian shoppers deserve better than this. They’re being let down by labels that don’t give them the information they need to make the right call,” says lead author of the study and RMIT Associate Professor, Lukas Parker. 

 

“It’s time for a consistent, clear system that helps people make smarter choices, saves money and keeps good food out of the [rubbish] bin.” 

 

Food industry is hesitant 

 

Despite consumers wanting label changes, workshops with food industry stakeholders revealed hesitancy due to concerns around cost, compliance and regulatory complexity. The gap between consumer needs and system readiness was also identified as a major barrier to progress. 

 

End Food Waste Australia CEO, Tristan Butt, believes cutting food waste through smarter labels will only happen if government, retailers and food producers work together. 

 

“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 says. 

 

“This single change could prevent nearly a million tonnes of food waste by 2030. The UK’s retail sector has already proven this change is possible without compromising food safety. It’s time we did the same.” 

 

The research is titled ‘Date Labelling and Storage Advice Collective Intelligence Workshops: Position Paper’ and is primarily intended for industry use. However, elements of the research project will be submitted to peer-reviewed publications later this year. 

 

The next phase of the National Date Labelling and Storage Advice Project will bring together supermarkets, food brands and government to co-design, test and roll out a national framework for date labelling and storage advice. The project is a collaboration between RMIT University and End Food Waste Australia. 

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    Dr Kin Kariisa

    Group CEO - Next Media

    Dr. Kin Kariisa is an extraordinary force at the helm of Next Media Services, a conglomerate encompassing NBS TV, Nile Post, Sanyuka TV, Next Radio, Salam TV, Next Communication, Next Productions, and an array of other influential enterprises. His dynamic role as Chief Executive Officer exemplifies his unwavering commitment to shaping media, business, and community landscapes.
    With an esteemed academic journey, Dr. Kariisa’s accolades include an Honorary PhD in exemplary community service from the United Graduate College inTexas, an MBA from United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya, a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering from Huazong University in China, and a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Makerere University.
    Dr. Kariisa pursued PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands. As a dynamic educator, he has shared his expertise as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at both Makerere University and Radboud University.

    Dr Kin did his PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radbond University in Nigmegen, Netherlands. He previously served as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda and Radbond University in Netherlands.

    Dr Kin did his postgraduate courses in Strategic Business Management, Strategic Leadership Communication and Strategies for Leading Successful Change Initiatives at Harvard University, Boston USA.

    • Other current and previous roles played by Dr Kin Kariisa:
    • Lecturer of e-Government and Information Security to graduate students at Makerere University, Kampala and Radbond University in the Netherlands
    • Director of Eco Bank Uganda Limited, one of the largest banks in Africa
    • Chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters, an umbrella industry association for all Television, Radio and online broadcasters in Uganda.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Nile Hotel International, that owns the leading hotel in Uganda, Kampala Serena Hotel.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Soliton Telmec Uganda, the leading telecom company in Optic fibre business managing over 80% of optic fibre in Uganda.