UK supermarkets are gradually removing expiration dates on a number of perishable items for better judgment by shoppers. And while retailers claim the move will save customers money and reduce waste, it marks a new spin in consumers’ grim battle against runaway inflation.

Asda, Co-Op, Morrisons, Waitrose, Tesco Plc and Marks & Spencer Group Plc have announced the complete or partial elimination of their traditional best before and before best dates. preferential in certain products, in some cases using scannable codes which can be controlled by store staff to dispose of expired items.

Morrisons started the trend by removing the indicator from 90% of its own brand milk, and encouraging buyers to use the “sniff test”. Retailer Asda is the latest to make the change, removing the shelf life on nearly 250 fresh fruit and vegetable products starting September 1.

Supermarket chain Waitrose will also remove the best before nearly 500 items of fresh produce, including root vegetables, fruit and houseplants, from September, while rival M&S will remove it from more than 300 fruit and vegetable lines in their stores.

All supermarkets committed to reducing food waste along with the announcement of a change in labeling policy, with the Co-Op removing the sale date on self-branded yogurt, citing waste as a key driver.

However, while retailers have tried to portray the policy change as a measure of environmental awareness, the change has come against a darker backdrop in great Britainwhere the media started suggesting that Britons with inflation issues should consider eating expired food