According to a report in 2013, about half of the world’s food have been wasted due to improper harvest method, storage and transportation methods, and retailers and consumers’  irresponsible actions.

The document jointly submitted by Netherlands and Sweden pointed out expiration period mark has caused the food problems and called upon EU to consider if the food with a long expiration period need not be marked expiration period, Reuters reported. This document has also been given support by Austria, Denmark, Germany and Luxembourg.

The document also pointed out EU leaders are able to develop a method how to make consumers better understand the meaning of expiration period.

EU committee said they are trying to find solution to dealing with food waste, including the understanding of expiration period. EU committee is planned to release a series of policy documents concerning this problem later this year.