MEMPHIS, Tenn. (Youdle) – Multiple new recalls this week involve undeclared allergens, potential contamination, and safety concerns affecting a range of grocery items. Shoppers who purchased the products below should check labels carefully and follow the recall guidance provided by manufacturers and regulatory agencies. New recalls issued this week Monster Cookies (Lunds & Byerlys) Recall date: December 10 Reason: Undeclared peanut, egg, and soy allergens. Product information can be cross-referenced with the store’s listing: https://www.lundsandbyerlys.com/product/l%26b-signature-monster-cookies-id-00018169481066 Meal Simple Red Lentil Dal Soup (H-E-B) Recall date: December 10 Reason: Possible undeclared milk allergens. As reported by the Houston Chronicle : https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/trending/article/soup-sold-h-e-b-recalled-customer-reports-21235415.php Grandma Belle's Tomato Basil Soup Recall date: December 9 Reason: Undec...
Social media is buzzing after photos of fully packaged groceries found in a store dumpster went viral — prompting new scrutiny of how the retail food sector manages waste. The now-circulating images, featured on Reddit, show sealed items that appear either sellable or close to their “best by” dates.
The public reaction was swift — and divided. Many viewers expressed outrage at the sight of edible food thrown away during a time of rising grocery costs and food insecurity. Others pointed out that grocers operate under strict safety, branding, and staffing limitations that can make last-minute recovery difficult.
Still, the takeaway is clear: the grocery industry must continue finding smarter, faster ways to keep good food in carts and out of landfills.
Where Food Waste Begins — and How Data Can Stop It
Food waste in grocery retail often comes down to timing, visibility, and labor. Once items approach their date codes, employees must quickly decide whether to mark them down, donate them, or discard them. Without real-time data or automation, even perfectly edible products can end up in the trash.
Grocers can reduce this risk through several data-driven practices:
Dynamic markdowns on short-dated products that automatically adjust based on sell-through.
Smarter ordering tied to real-time inventory and shopper demand patterns.
Training and technology for clearer date-code rotation and shelf visibility.
Donation and food rescue partnerships that make surplus recovery fast and seamless.
With these systems in place, stores can launch “last-mile” flash promotions, bundle deals, or cross-merchandising substitutions to move surplus goods before they expire. These efforts not only prevent waste — they also strengthen margins, reduce shrink, and build goodwill with shoppers who value sustainability.
Shoppers Play a Role Too
For consumers, food waste awareness starts with understanding date labels. “Sell by,” “best by,” and “use by” dates aren’t all the same — and confusion about them drives billions in wasted food each year. Shoppers who learn to distinguish freshness from safety can save money while helping reduce waste.
Youdle’s real-time platform helps by surfacing in-stock and marked-down items nearby, giving shoppers instant insight into what’s fresh, discounted, or available as an alternative. That kind of visibility reduces over-ordering and accelerates sell-through — keeping food where it belongs: on tables, not in dumpsters.
A Community and Emergency Connection
Food waste doesn’t just affect profits — it affects preparedness. Transparent visibility into grocery inventory also supports emergency managers and food banks, who can coordinate quickly when disruptions or surpluses occur. By knowing where excess exists, they can redirect edible goods to families in need.
That’s the bigger picture behind this viral story. It’s not just about what was found behind one store — it’s about how technology, awareness, and community collaboration can turn moments of outrage into opportunities for action.