janet from Christchurch said:
Using your web site to tell my year 4 class about how they can reduce their food waste and encourage their parents... More
The facts behind the date labels from the Food Standards Agency.
You can ignore these dates as they are for shop staff not shoppers.
Food can be eaten up to the end of the ‘use by’ date, but not after even if it looks and smells fine.
These dates refer to quality rather than food safety. When the date is passed, the food won’t be unsafe but might begin to lose its flavour and texture. Providing eggs are cooked thoroughly, they can be eaten a day or two after their ‘best before’ date.
Always follow on pack storage guidance and instructions such as "eat within three days of opening". To extend the life of food beyond its date, freeze it before the date and defrost and use it within 24 hours. Find out more about food labelling from the NHS: http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Goodfood/Pages/food-labelling-terms.aspx