The FSA says eating food beyond its use-by date or switching of the fridge or freezer could cause food poisoning. With food waste on the rise, many major UK supermarkets such as Morrisons have scrapped their best-before dates.
And many shoppers are consuming products after use-by dates dates as a money saving measure. However, the Grocery Gazette reports the Food Standards Agency has suggested that the crucial use-by dates should still be followed.
Shoppers can often be confused by the two dates. Use-by dates are about safety, and are the most important date to remember. You can eat food until and on the use-by date but not after. Foods that go off quickly, such as meats, fruits and vegetables will feature use-by dates, and must be followed.
Best before dates meanwhile are about quality, and not safety. The food will be safe to eat after this date but may not be at its best, as the quality of its flavour and texture may suffer over time. These dates often appear on frozen foods, dried foods and tinned foods.
According to the FSA survey, 40% of consumers had concerns about being able to afford food over the next month amid the cost-of-living crisis. FSA chief executive Emily Miles said "We know many people are worried about food affordability right now and our evidence shows that people are finding ways to save money where they can."
“It’s not a good idea to turn off the fridge or eat food past its use-by date as these things can lead to a higher risk of you becoming ill with food poisoning. Keeping your fridge cold enough, 5C or below, will prevent bacteria from multiplying on your food and make it last as long as it can.”
For more stories from where you live, visit InYourArea.
Find recommendations for eating out, attractions and events near you here on our sister website 2Chill
Find recommendations for dog owners and more doggy stories on our sister site Teamdogs
