LONDON — Marks & Spencer is promoting the role plastic packaging plays in helping reduce food waste. The retail giant is supporting the 'Fresher For Longer' campaign, which is also backed by Wrap, the Packaging Federation and Incpen.

According to research into attitudes to waste and food packaging, consumers often take food out of its packaging once home, believing it can cause food to spoil.

"The research shows the clear disconnect between perceptions about food and drink packaging and the reality – as little as 13 percent of people realise that packaging can help products keep for longer," said Dick Searle, chief executive of the Packaging Federation.

"The amount of food wasted each year is scandalous and the industry has a responsibility to educate consumers and help effect change."

Searle will be speaking at next week's Pro2Pac event in London.