Changing the labelling on dry goods such as pasta and tinned soup from ‘best before’ to ‘long life’ will slash the amount of food thrown away by over 30%, according to new research.

Researchers at Wageningen University were commissioned by the economic affairs ministry to look at the impact of labeling on reducing food waste. Food has to be given a ‘best before’ under European food safety rules even though it can be safely eaten well beyond that date.

Junior economic affairs minister Martijn van Dam says he plans to discuss the findings with the food industry to see what steps can be taken. He would also like EU rules changed to include pasta, couscous and rice in the long life food category which does not require a date.

Dutch households throw away an average of 47 kilos of food a year, Van Dam said.