Dairy processors are invited to participate in an anonymous online survey as part of a University of Adelaide research project exploring labelling practices for storage communications, directions for use and date marking.
The survey aims to gather feedback about the labelling practices used by dairy processors and manufacturers, to better understand the conventions and differences in labelling practice across dairy products in Australia
Findings may inform future labelling practices used by the dairy industry and assist with harmonisation of labelling practices, which may in turn help to reduce dairy food waste.
“As with other food industries, dairy generates food waste, amounting to about 0.71 million tonnes per year and contributing to the 7.6 million tonnes of annual food waste in Australia,” said the researchers.
“Food waste is a global concern and Australia has a target to halve food waste by 2030, across the entire food supply and consumption chain, from primary up to and including the consumption sectors.
“Identification of food waste hotspots in Australia found milk, cheese, and yoghurt to be significant contributors to landfill waste. Research suggests that confusion over labelling conventions related to storage communications and advice, directions for use, and date marking, may lead some retailers and consumers to unnecessarily discard milk and dairy products, contributing to food waste.”
All who complete the survey will go into a draw for one of five $100 Coles Myer gift cards. The draw will be carried out at the end of the survey period. Participants who indicate they wish to participate in the draw will be taken to another short survey where they can leave contact details. To protect anonymity, the contact details provided will not be associated with the main survey data.
The survey takes less than 20 minutes to complete, and you can access the survey here.