No best before date on Tesco ready meal...?

preciousillusions

I bought a tomato and mozzarella pasta ready meal (yeah i know, lazy, but it was on offer) from Tesco the other day, and i just went to check the best before/used by so i know when i need to eat it by and discovered there is none! There is just a blank space where the date should be. Just wondering:

1. Has this ever happened to anyone else? Mostly curious.
2. Do you think it's worth complaining? I mean, it wasn't expensive and i imagine it's even okay to eat (although i guess i can't be certain how long it's been hanging around in the store for) but i am thinking i should make them aware regardless perhaps? I don't know, i sort of hate to make a fuss ever.

Thanks to anyone who reads and/or replies. I'm mainly just a bit baffled by this as thought supermarkets were pretty pedantic with best before dates.

DCFC79

From working at Mr S ive seen it a few times where an item hasnt got a date on the item, does it look ok inside ?

If you do go to tesco, dont complain as it happens all the time with food, just point it out and see what they say, im sure they will replace it, have you got the receipt

jb66

Eat it and then take the packaging back saying it tasted funny an you threw it out, not bad for a free meal

preciousillusions

^ :laugh:

I haven't got the receipt no. I looked for it but couldn't find it...i am so unorganised! Think i'll just take it back in tomorrow and see if they will replace it which i am sure they will. At least then i will be sure of how long i can keep it in the fridge before until i use it.

Thanks DCF.

ShaneUK

Return it. They will be able to clearly see that there is no date on there, and I am sure that they will replace it without fuss without a receipt

nzmegs

I think that some supermarkets are planning on reducing the number of items they sell with use by dates. It probably doesn't affect ready meals, but things like veges and fruit are likely to not have use by dates printed on them in the future. Some people just refuse to use their heads when they look at an apple - if the date says it is not good for eating they take the supermarkets word for it. I think this is supposed to be a way of making us throw out less food. But i doubt it applies to ready meals...

dickydonkin

jb66 wrote: »

Eat it and then take the packaging back saying it tasted funny an you threw it out, not bad for a free meal

Good strategy - provided you are not dead! :shocked:

On the subject of BB/SB dates on food - does anybody know why the sell by dates on crisps is always on a Saturday??? :huh:

rsykes2000

dpassmore wrote: »

Good strategy - provided you are not dead! :shocked:

On the subject of BB/SB dates on food - does anybody know why the sell by dates on crisps is always on a Saturday??? :huh:

Way to over-react It will be a factory mistake and the product will be fine, it will likely have been received and put out on the same day or within a couple of days max.
Oh, and as for the crisps, no idea, not something I have noticed. Will have to check now As an aside, my grandad was a headmaster in a school in the 60s / 70s and there was a crisp factory nearby. The factory used to sell the batches that had gone through the flavouring process a few times by accident off cheap to the local kids - he said the smell was *appalling* but the kids all loved them

bap98189

dpassmore wrote: »

On the subject of BB/SB dates on food - does anybody know why the sell by dates on crisps is always on a Saturday??? :huh:

I have no idea, but I checked the crisps we have in the kitchen and they do all have a date that is on a Saturday.

There are various theories circulating on the internet, but none of them seem plausible to me.

I've been inside one of the Walker's factories, and they run their lines 24/7, so it's not because they only bag them on a Friday.

There seems to be an answer on the internet that it is because the pub industry rotates its stock on a Friday, but that seem odd as surely Friday will be one of the busiest days for a pub. And why would all pubs check their crisps on the same day?

Another suggestion seems to be that the manufacturers can only be bothered to update the coding machines one a week. But they use laser coders to print that information on the bags, and those machines are capable of changing the date at the click of a mouse, or even automatically, so why only change the date one a week?

It's annoying me now. Does anyone know the actual answer?

eranou

dpassmore wrote: »

Good strategy - provided you are not dead! :shocked:

On the subject of BB/SB dates on food - does anybody know why the sell by dates on crisps is always on a Saturday??? :huh:

Iv just checked packs of walkers, tesco own brand and highlander crisps all except highlander have a best before date as a saturday.

Maybe someone should email them.

mllgnc

Ive worked nightshift in 2 major supermarkets. Items do come in with out dates every now and again, however we have always been told without exception that these items should not be packed out. Obviously human error happens, however you should go to customer services the next time you are in the store, I would imagine they would give you a refund.