Do you know the difference between ‘best before’ and ‘display until’? What if we throw a ‘use by’ sticker onto the same product and they all have different dates? You want to ensure your wellbeing by not including out-of-date products in your diet but what do you do when there are 3 different dates on the packet? Never mind your physical wellness, the confusion alone sends your mental wellness in a bit of a spin!
The good news is that you’re not alone. The bad news, however, is that because so many people are confused over food packaging labels, millions of tonnes of perfectly good food end up wasted in the bin each year. Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman, says ‘I am dismayed so much food goes to waste and if the date labels are part of the problem it’s one thing we should be able to improve.’
According to The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) a minimum of 60% of the 8.3 million tonnes of UK household food and drink waste is avoidable, and it costs you approximately £680 a year, just in one household. Defra is working towards providing guidelines to the food industry to improve label comprehension, but is not introducing any enforceable rules or regulations at this time.
The Food and Drink Federation ‘is aware of Defra’s work to produce guidance on the use of ‘best before’ and ‘use by’, both of which are legal requirements subject to EU legislation,’ says Director of Communications Terry Jones. ‘The ‘best before’ label is important as it helps consumers to enjoy our members’ products in their optimum condition. No one likes to waste food and FDF members fully recognise the importance of reducing food waste throughout the supply chain.’
So let’s define what these labels mean, once and for all. It is a legal requirement that every item of pre-packed food shows a best before date, even though many foods are still safe to eat after that date. Eggs are the exception to this rule, as their ‘best before’ dates are about quality, not safety. The use-by date refers to the day you should actually throw food away, even if it appears to be fine, as it is no longer safe. You can extend the life of some foods by freezing them, but you should always follow guidance on the pack. Finally, anything else on the packet, such as ‘display until’ and ‘sell by’ aren’t for you to worry about, as they are instructions for shop and supermarket staff, not shoppers.
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