<Anchor> This is a
friendly economic time. Today (19th), I will be with reporter Kim Hye-min. When we go shopping at the mart, we check the expiration date a lot, but you say there are quite a few foods that can be eaten even after the expiration date?
<Reporter> Do
anchors just eat expired foods? Or do you throw it away?
<Anchor>
I am always worried. It seems that the expiration date has passed for a few days, but I was wondering if I should eat it or throw it away, something like milk or something like tofu.
<Reporter>
I also had milk that had expired for 3 days in the refrigerator a while ago. It didn't matter.
Of course, this can be dangerous depending on the situation, so I'm not saying you have to do this, but there are quite a few foods that can be eaten past their expiration date.
The expiration date literally refers to the period during which a product can be distributed in the market, and even if this time has passed, it does not necessarily mean that you can't eat it.
Because of this expiration date, a lot of food is thrown away every year. The amount of food waste in Korea is 5.48 million tons per year, and the processing cost is over 1 trillion won. In addition, an area equivalent to 100 soccer fields is thrown away as food waste every year.
The expiration date was first introduced in 1985. However, the food manufacturing technology and refrigeration distribution method are much better now than at that time.
So, the government has decided to introduce the consumption period in stages from now on. After the relevant amendments passed the National Assembly in August, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced legislation a few days ago.
<Anchor> When
we started, we ate food that was past the expiration date and it was fine. As I said, you shouldn't eat too much of it. It's been a while, there's no big problem with this, so I think you've all understood what I'm talking about. And as reporter Kim just explained, is there such a thing as an expiration date? How is this different from the expiration date?
<Reporter>
Actually, first of all, the expiration date should be thrown away after a while. You think like this. It is set at about 60-70% of the period during which food can be safely eaten.
On the other hand, this expiration date refers to the period within which safety is not compromised if food is consumed while keeping the storage conditions.
Generally, it is set at the level of 80% to 90% based on the time of deterioration, but the date will be later than the expiration date. After this expiry date, it must be disposed of.
Changing the expiry date to the expiry date and displaying it has been given a grace period for the time being. It will be implemented in earnest from 2023.
However, milk products are marked with an expiration date after 8 years, that is, from 2031. It is said that they gave more time to prepare because the standards for refrigeration must be improved for hygiene control and quality maintenance.
<Anchor>
Then, considering the current situation, it may not have been introduced, but I think a rough outline of the expiration date has come out. Then, if you let us know this expiration date in advance, I think we can use it as a tip in our daily lives compared to the expiration date.
<Reporter>
As mentioned above, the expiration date needs to be premised on keeping the storage standards. This applies only to products that have been refrigerated or frozen in a sealed state.
Let's go into the details one by one. Eggs currently have a shelf life of 45 days, but the expiration date is 70 days. The shelf life of tofu is 14 days, and the expiration date is extended by 90 days here.
Also, bread that has a shelf life of only 3 days can be eaten for an additional 20 days. Milk expires after 14 days, but the expiration date is 59 days. There are foods with a larger difference between the expiration date and the expiration date than you think.
Even before the expiration date is marked, making it a habit to donate food according to this standard will also help reduce food waste.
<Anchor> The
period is quite different. Instead, the premise is that it is well-maintained, that is, food that is well-kept and maintained can be stretched a little like this. I think it should be understood in this way. Then this is two marks. Expiration date, expiry date. It would be nice to write both of these, but what about this one? What do you think the future direction will be now?
<Reporter>
Some say it's okay to do it in parallel, or something like this.
However, it is pointed out that both consumer groups and the industry will only increase consumer confusion and become an obstacle to the early establishment of the system.
There is no other country in the world that marks both.
If we take a look at the situation abroad, let alone currently 37 OECD countries.
Most countries such as Southeast Asia and Africa use the expiry date.
Among them, in Europe, Canada, and Australia, the period during which the best taste can be enjoyed is said to be used together with the expiration date and quality maintenance period.
In China, the expiry date and the manufacturing date are written together.
In the case of the United States, the manufacturer selects and displays one of the expiration date, expiration date, and quality maintenance date.
In line with the global trend of thinking about the environment and reducing waste, it seems to be the right direction for us to introduce the expiration date.
However, in order to settle well, careful preparation is required, such as thorough food distribution management and clearly guiding consumers on how to store food.