‘Sniff test’ may replace use-by dates on milk to avoid waste

The use-by dates on milk may be scrapped in favour of a sniff test in a bid to cut the amount the UK wastes.

Currently Brits throw out a staggering 500 million pints every single year and campaigners say it is all down to the date printed on bottles and cartons.

Waste reduction charity Wrap say that people will automatically throw milk away after the use-by date – even though it may still be drinkable.

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They say that a sniff test to see if the milk has gone off should replace the current system.

Wrap is now in negotiations with the dairy industry, the Food Standards Agency and government officials about new rules, according to the Times.

Andrew Parry, from the charity, told The Times: “We are exploring with the dairy sector whether milk could move to a best-before date.

“That could really help reduce milk wastage.”

It is thought that the new system could save up to 100 million pints of milk a year.

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