Experts are urging New Zealand to ditch the 'best before' labels on food packaging to reduce food waste issues.

Food waste costs the nation $3.2 billion per year, with an estimated 100,000 tonnes of product tossed out.

Love Food Hate Waste's Kate Fenwick says many people are confused between the 'best before' and 'use by' dates.

"I've seen people throw away perfectly good packets of dry pasta, which literally can't go off, because it's got a 'best before' date on it."

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