globalbriefs
News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier, stronger society that benefits all.
Safe and Smart Clarity for Expiration Dates on Food
Many Americans have been confused by the “Sell By” labels on groceries for 40 years. Now, the Food Marketing Institute and the Grocery Manufactur- ers Association, the two largest industry trade groups, are adopting voluntary standard- ized regulations to clarify. Instead of using up to
10 different phrases to communicate safety, they have settled on just two: “Use By”, a safety designation to indicate when perishable foods are no longer good; and “Best if Used By”, an estimate of when the manufacturer thinks the product should be consumed for peak flavor. Studies show that consumers generally believe the cur- rent labels all signal whether a product is safe to eat, and that it will still be okay well after its so-called expiration date. At the same time, prematurely tossed groceries dominate land- fills and produce greenhouse gas emissions. The U.S. Depart- ment of Agriculture and a coalition of environmental groups have been urging the industry to clear this up. The change is scheduled to take hold in July 2018.
Prohibiting Plastic Banning Bags Is Making a Difference
Governments worldwide are taking control of a pol- lution problem with bans on different forms of plas- tic, including shopping bags. The Indian state of
Karnataka has completely banned the use of plastic. No whole- sale dealer, retailer or trader can now use or sell plastic carrier bags, plates, cups, spoons, cling film or even microbeads. San Francisco became the first U.S. city to ban plastic shopping bags in 2007, and in 2014 it banned plastic water bottles on city properties. Since then, they have included Styrofoam and thermocol (polystyrene). Hawaii introduced a ban on single-use plastic bags in 2015. Coles Bay, Tasmania, was the first town in Australia to ban disposable plastic bags in 2003, using 350,000 fewer than in 2002. Ethiopia, France and Morocco have followed suit. It’s all part of a global movement to protect the life of oceans and other bodies of water.
Take the Greenpeace Plastic Pledge at
Tinyurl.com/Take ThePlasticPledge.
10 Austin Edition
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