Food waste is a real problem in the UK; it is estimated that 180,000 tonnes of food is wasted each year due to confusion over date labelling. In this blog we’re clarifying the labelling on our products in a bid to reduce food waste.
best before and use by dates
The Look, Smell, Taste, Don’t Waste campaign was launched by Too Good To Go encouraging consumers to check their foods before automatically throwing them away once the best before date has passed.
Confusion comes from not knowing the difference between best before and use by dates.
USE BY is labelled on food that goes off quickly, for example MEAT, FISH, SAUSAGES, SOFT CHEESE, YOGURTS and CREAM. Food should not be consumed once this date is passed. The life can be extended by freezing the product before or on the use by and enjoying at a later date.
BEST BEFORE dates are found on all other packaged food, for example HARD CHEESES, OLIVES, JAMS, CHUTNEYS and TINNED FOODS. These may be foods that lose flavour or texture after this date and are an estimate from the producer as to when the food reaches its peak. When in doubt use the senses:
Look – check for any obvious signs that the food is off ie. mould or discolouring
Smell – smell the food, check for any obvious differences in smell to usual
Taste – try a small piece of food to check that it tastes as it should
On some of our products the label says ‘once opened consume within x amount of days’, this is a guideline as once opened the air it is exposed to can cause the food to deteriorate. Products such as our cheeses and meats, as long as they are re-wrapped and properly stored, can last longer than this. We would recommend using the look, smell and taste test to determine whether the food should be eaten however this does not apply to food that is past the use by date.
For more info on understanding expiration dates and food labeling click here.
