Understanding 'Use By' and 'Best Before' Dates in Food Packaging

New Guidelines on Date Marking

The Food Standards Agency and Defra have issued new guidance to clarify date marking on food packaging:

• Food should only display either ‘use by’ or ‘best before’ labels to inform consumers about food safety and quality.
• ‘Sell by’ and ‘display until’ labels should be removed to prevent confusion among shoppers.
• The 'best before' date indicates food quality, while the 'use by' date relates to food safety.
• It is legal to sell products after the 'best before' date (except eggs), but not after the 'use by' date.

Legal Requirements and Labelling

Key legal requirements and guidelines for date marking on food:

• Date marks must be clear, legible, and indelible on packaging.
• Manufacturers, packers, or EU sellers are responsible for setting date marks and storage instructions.
• It is an offence to alter or remove a date mark without proper authorization.

Stock Rotation and Quality Control

Best practices for maintaining food quality and safety:

• Implement effective stock rotation to ensure older stock is used first.
• Purchase food from reputable suppliers to maintain quality standards.
• Transport food according to recommended guidelines to prevent damage and maintain temperature.

Handling Spoiled Food

Procedures for identifying and disposing of spoiled food:

• Visually inspect food for signs of spoilage such as changes in colour, texture, or presence of water.
• Dispose of spoiled, damaged, or out-of-date food in compliance with local regulations.