Use by and best before dates
Use by
'use by' labels are placed on fresh produce that can deteriorate and even become unsafe to eat over short time periods e.g. fish, fresh meat, meat products and milk.
It is an offence to sell food past its "use-by" date
Advice for consumers on use by dates:
- Even if the food or drink looks and smells fine, don't use it ;
- The 'use by' date can only be a valid guide if you follow the storage instructions on the packaging. For example, milk will go off a lot quicker if you do not keep it refrigerated;
- The term 'use by' does not necessarily mean 'eat by', if the food is suitable, its life can often be extended by freezing it;
- Make sure you always follow relevant cooking/preparing/storage instructions as stated on the packaging;
- Beware, some products may have a specific 'use by' date but if it is opened, must be consumed within a certain time. However, if the 'use by' date is tomorrow, you must consume the product by the end of tomorrow.
Best before dates
'best before' dates tend to appear on more stable or non-perishable goods, such as canned, frozen and dried produce.
It is not an offence to sell food past its "best before" date
Advice for consumers on best before dates:
- 'best before' dates refer more to the quality rather than the safety of the product and indicate a date up until which a food will stay at a reasonable eating quality;
- the 'best before' date can only be a valid guide if you follow the storage instructions on the packaging. To enjoy the food at it's best, be sure to adhere to these instructions.
Other dates
It is not an offence to sell food past its "display until" date
Other dates that may be marked next to the 'use by' or 'best before' dates may be the 'display until' dates which are merely there to help shops with stock control and are of no relevance to shoppers.
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