Archive:Quick Questions on food safety / sell by / use by dates

marri_lou

Ok. Thank you all for your replies.

Pssst

Just do what we used to do before these ridiculous dates were added.

Give it a sniff,if it smells nice check for fungal growths,if not,cook it ,eat it,enjoy.

Reverbe

Noticed today it has a use by date of yesterday. Phoned M&S who told me that it was "my prerogative" to check dates not theirs, and they are legally entitled to sell the food with a use by until midnight that night

I worked for M &S and was very shocked to hear this. it was drummed into us when we did our training about leaving food products on the shelf after dates and the consequences both for ourselves and the company. Basically if you leave a tray of say 20 yoghurts out of date you can get a hefty fine for every single item...

Reverbe

Marri your food should be ok... there's no fish in it . make sure it is hot tho..

marri_lou

I was really disappointed. I believe that we should give feedback good and bad, and always make a point of saying to cashiers if they have been pleasant, customer service etc, but the woman on the phone wa really quite nippy.

Nicki

Reverbe wrote: »

Noticed today it has a use by date of yesterday. Phoned M&S who told me that it was "my prerogative" to check dates not theirs, and they are legally entitled to sell the food with a use by until midnight that night

I worked for M &S and was very shocked to hear this. it was drummed into us when we did our training about leaving food products on the shelf after dates and the consequences both for ourselves and the company. Basically if you leave a tray of say 20 yoghurts out of date you can get a hefty fine for every single item...

But it wasn't out of date when she bought it . She bought it yesterday and it was use-by yesterday, so still in date.

Mind you, I agree with OP it was very poor customer service but it wasn't illegal.

kitschkitty

If you buy something in date and don't eat it in time, I don't see how it's anyone's fault but your own, (You're not the only one, I've done it before - it just teaches you to look at the dates more closely and now I always reach to the back of the chiller cabinet to find the longest dates)!

That said I also totally agree with the other posters that eating it 1 to 2 days later will probably be absolutely fine so long as you are sure to fully heat it through thoroughly.

geri1965_2

Any wrote: »

Use by date is an advisory date for using. As long as it is not fish (which your is not) you can still eat it 1-2 days after. I would.

You are completely wrong. :rolleyes:

Use by is a label for perishable foods that can degenerate very quickly and cause risk to health.

You are thinking of best before dates which relate to quality of food.

marri_lou

kitschkitty wrote: »

If you buy something in date and don't eat it in time, I don't see how it's anyone's fault but your own, (You're not the only one, I've done it before - it just teaches you to look at the dates more closely and now I always reach to the back of the chiller cabinet to find the longest dates)!

That said I also totally agree with the other posters that eating it 1 to 2 days later will probably be absolutely fine so long as you are sure to fully heat it through thoroughly.

I appreciate that, but if I was going to buy something that's not "whoopsied" I generally expect it to have a shelf life of more than 1.15 hours (given I bought it at 5pm and have dinner about 6) I realise I may be being slightly pedantic here given that M&S don't know what time I have my dinner at, however.... Weekly shops are usually done with a date as far as possible in advance.

Anyhoo, have emailed head office and I'll see whats happening.

lilac_lady

I agree with the OP. M & S used to be known for their good customer service but is just like any other shop now - dependent on the mood of their staff.