Marks and Spencer is set to become the latest retailer to make a major change to the packaging on its milk products.
The supermarket will be scrapping 'Use By' dates in favour of 'Best Before' dates across across its RSPCA Assured Select Farms British and organic fresh milk in a bid to cut back on its plastic waste.
Rolling out across stores this week, the major change means that M&S is the first retailer to offer ‘Best Before’ labelling on fully recyclable milk bottles, following the removal of coloured lids earlier this year.
M&S' move comes just after Morrisons made a similar move earlier this year, as it became the first supermarket to replace 'Use By' dates in favour of 'Best Before' across 90 percent of its own-brand milk.
The retailer has said that a combination of improved shelf life and overall quality of milk in recent years has helped to make the change, meaning customers will need to "use their judgement" on what is still good to eat before throwing it away.
It comes after the latest figures from the Waste and Resources Action Prgramme (WRAP) revealed that UK homes are estimated to waste over 490 million pints of milk a year.
Catherine David, Director Collaboration and Change, WRAP: "Milk is the third most wasted food in the home behind potatoes and bread, with around 490 million pints poured down the drain every year - 18 and a half per household - worth £270 million.
"The main reason is not drinking before the Use-By date. By changing its British and organic fresh milk to a Best-Before date, M&S is instantly helping its customers save money and cut waste by giving them more time to consume the milk they buy.
"WRAP’s joint Best Practice with the Food Standards Agency, Defra and Dairy UK states to only apply a Use-By date when required for food safety reasons, and it’s fantastic to see M&S - a Courtauld 2030 signatory - making this switch.
"This type of change to labelling is fundamental in helping people reduce household food waste, which currently tops more than 6.6 million tonnes each year across the UK."
The move comes just after major supermarkets have been ditching the 'Use By' dates across a host of products, such as fresh fruit and vegeatables. Many began ditching the labels last year in a bid to help tackle food waste in UK households.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond. Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
