![]() ![]() beverages containing 10% or more by volume of alcohol.wines, liqueur wines, sparkling wines, aromatised wines and similar products obtained from fruit other than grapes, and some other beverages obtained from grapes or grape musts.fresh fruit and vegetables (including potatoes, which have not been peeled, cut or similarly treated) however, this does not apply to sprouting seeds and similar products such as bean sprouts.While most prepacked foods require either a use by or a best before date, there are some exemptions from date marking under The Food Information to Consumers (FIC) Regulation: What foods are exempt from date labelling? Milk and dairy products with a use by date should never be sniffed or used past the use by date. ![]() However, you should always check the label first to make sure the product says best before. Milk and dairy products with a best before date can be sniffed to see if they have soured.Food businesses must ensure they use the correct label on all food products. This is because the food businesses who produce these products apply certain technologies during production and the products undergo extensive testing. Some milk and dairy products may have a best before date, rather than a use by date. Even though food can look and smell normal past the use by date, it could still contain harmful bugs. For foods with a use by date, it is not suitable to use the ‘sniff test’ to determine if food is safe to eat.For example, look for the visual appearance of mould on bread or check whether biscuits/crackers have gone stale. For best before foods, it is safe to use smell or appearance to decide if food is suitable/appropriate to eat.You can’t see or smell the bugs that can cause food poisoning, therefore it's important to read the label, follow storage instructions and adhere to use by dates when present. ![]() Eggs can be eaten a day or two after their ‘best before’ date, as long as they are cooked thoroughly (such as a hard-boiled egg or used in a cake) as this will kill any bacteria.įor more information on use by and best before dates, watch our video. After this date the quality of the egg will deteriorate and if any salmonella bacteria are present, they could multiply to high levels and could make you ill. A best before date will only be valid if the food is stored according to the instructions on the label.Īn exception to this is eggs, which have a best before date of no more than 28 days after they are laid. Best before dates ensure food qualityīest before dates appear on a wide range of foods. This can include frozen, dried and tinned foods, such as canned tomatoes, bread and cereal. Storage instructions provided on the label must be followed to keep the food safe, for example ‘ store in a refrigerator’. Some foods can also be frozen (see our freezing food section below). You can’t smell the difference between bugs that spoil food and those that make you ill.įoods can be eaten up until and on the use by date, but not after as they may no longer be safe to eat. After this date the food will be safe to eat but its flavour, colour or texture might start to deteriorate.Įven if food looks and smells fine, it should not be eaten past its use by date as it might contain harmful bugs that could make you sick. A best before date is about food quality, rather than food safety.A use by date is about food safety and is used on foods that go off quickly, such as raw meat or fish, cooked sliced meats, and some dairy products.What's the difference between 'use by' and ‘best before’? This includes the date label, how to them, and for how long. Therefore, it’s important to read the label on your food products. ![]() Use by dates are used to ensure the safety of products and best before dates are used to ensure quality. Manufacturers are responsible for deciding the most appropriate date labels for their products, based on scientific evidence for their safety and shelf life. ![]()
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