The end of minimum shelf life dates on certain everyday dry products could soon enter the political debate. The General States of Food Waste, launched in 2025 by Deputy Guillaume Garot, propose removing date labels from items like pasta, rice, or cereals, which are considered safe to consume for extended periods without health risks.
Presenting the conclusions of this work to the National Assembly, the elected representative defended a commonsense measure, reminding that products such as sugar, vinegar, or coarse salt are already exempt from date labels. According to him, the presence of a minimum shelf life date fosters persistent confusion among consumers, who too often equate this indication with a strict expiration date, leading to the disposal of perfectly edible food.
The issue is far from marginal. The General States estimate that each French person wastes an average of 135 euros worth of food each year, which is nearly two weeks’ worth of their food budget. A significant portion of this waste is linked to misinterpretation of the dates on packaging, particularly for dry products, whose quality may decline over time, without compromising food safety.
The proposals are compiled in a “2030 Agenda” that aims to lead to legislative action in the spring. They include the desire to evolve European regulations to broaden the list of products exempt from minimum shelf life dates, a point welcomed by representatives of major retailers, who emphasize the absence of health risks for these items.
Beyond this emblematic measure, the General States advocate for a strengthening of food education, the development of incentives for donation rather than destruction of unsold goods, and the implementation of large-scale awareness tools. The removal of dates from pasta and rice would thus be part of a broader strategy aimed at sustainably reducing food waste and changing consumption habits.
