Food rescue in Berlin: Motatos fights against waste!

Food rescue in Berlin: Motatos fights against waste!

In Germany, around 11 million tons of food are thrown away annually, although many of these products are still edible. Food waste is particularly alarming in large cities like Berlin. A company that opposes this problem is Motatos, an online supermarket that was founded in Stockholm in 2014. Motatos sells rescued foods in Germany and Austria, which have often expired best -preservation data (MHD), have beauty macelaries or come from overproduction. According to berlin-live.de describes the managing director of Motatos in Germany and Austria, Dominique Ertl, the company as a shop for food Don't make it into the classic supermarkets.

The range of Motatos includes both everyday products and extraordinary foods from small brands. The delivery takes place throughout Germany to the doorstep, but the offer is not enough for a complete weekly shopping, since fresh foods such as fruit and vegetables are not available. In the long term, Motatos strives for a world without a waste of food. Ertl emphasizes that education about food and sustainability is essential, especially in older generations.

The role of the best before date

A decisive factor for high food waste is the often misunderstood best -before date. This date indicates when a food retains its specific properties under optimal conditions. After the MHD has expired, however, this does not automatically mean that the product is spoiled. With proper storage, many foods can continue to be edible afterwards. Consumers are encouraged to check products visually and olfactory after they dispose of them after the MHD has expired. As the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) explains on its website, consumers should know the differences between MHD and the consumption date to reduce food waste. The consumption date refers to easily perishable goods such as minced meat and indicates when they can be consumed safely. After this date they can no longer be sold or consumed.

A study shows that a significant part of global food waste - 1.3 billion tons - annually - is due to confusion about minimum preservation data. Furthermore, over a third of the consumer believes that the labeling is required by law. These misunderstandings mean that edible products are thrown away, which not only has ecological, but also economic and social effects. In the United States, for example, around 40 % of food supply, which corresponds to around £ 80 billion, are wasted - 20 % of this waste resulted from misunderstandings regarding labels.

measures to reduce food waste

In order to counteract food waste, Motatos suggests legally binding goals and more transparency from politics. Educational initiatives are also necessary to raise consumers' awareness and to clarify them about correct storage and dealing with food. Innovative strategies in retail, such as dynamic price models, could also help reduce food waste. In Germany, a reduction agreement between the BMEL and 14 companies was signed on June 27, 2023 to tackle food waste together.