A global challenge with local impact
The challenge is urgent. In the Netherlands, research from “Samen Tegen Voedselverspilling” shows that households waste about 33 kilos of food per person each year, equal to around 23 million meals every week. At the same time, 81 percent of Dutch consumers believe they waste less than average. By working together, we can change these numbers.
Over the date? Check before you waste
The focus of Food Waste Week 2025 is expiration dates. A “best before” date refers to quality, meaning food is often still good after the date if you look, smell and taste. A “use by” date refers to safety, meaning the product should not be consumed after the date. Still, many items are thrown away too soon because of confusion. Nearly half of Dutch consumers cannot clearly explain the difference, and research shows that 8 percent immediately throw away food once the “best before” date has passed. In fact, 10 percent of household food waste is linked to misunderstanding expiration dates. By knowing the difference, we can prevent unnecessary waste.
Extending shelf life with aseptic technology
Tetra Pak’s aseptic technology helps protect food for six to twelve months without the need for refrigeration or preservatives. By shielding products from light, heat and harmful bacteria, aseptic cartons preserve taste, texture and nutrition while reducing spoilage. This longer shelf life allows products to reach more people safely, including in regions without reliable cooling, and reduces the risk of food loss.
Our aseptic beverage cartons are made on average of 75 percent paper, 21 percent polymers and 4 percent aluminium. They are renewable, recyclable, safe and designed to protect what is good.
Want to dive deeper? Find all the details about our aseptic technology here.
Reducing food waste also happens during production. At the Tetra Pak® New Food Technology Development Centre in Karlshamn, Sweden, we help producers scale fermentation-based food
Reducing food loss and waste together
Food loss and waste occur at every stage of the value chain, from production to household consumption. Our whitepaper “How can reducing food loss and waste advance the transition to more sustainable food systems?” explores the scale of the challenge and outlines opportunities for policymakers, businesses and consumers to act. It highlights the urgency of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12.3, while sharing how Tetra Pak contributes through advanced processing technologies and aseptic packaging solutions.
Curious to learn more? Download the whitepaper here.
