'Best Before' dates query

Andy_L

jhe wrote: »

and to answer my original question is the Best before 1 May the 30 April or 1 May?

According to the FSA, NHS & DEFRA the "use by" date includes the date on the label. It would seem reasonable to use the same criteria for a "best before" date to avoid confusion

"Don't use any food or drink after the end of the "use by" date "
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Goodfood/Pages/food-labelling-terms.aspx


"A product with a ‘use by’ date cannot be sold after that date and should not be used after
midnight of that day"
http://tna.europarchive.org/20141204090942/https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/69316/pb132629-food-date-labelling-110915.pdf

samanthaknd

SeduLOUs wrote: »

If you weren't happy with the short life of the bread you had delivered you can reject it at the door. I get Tesco delivered every week and they always tell me if there are any short dated items so that I can decide whether to accept them or not.

To answer the actual question asked, I would have thought best before meant up to but not including that date, but someone has posted info to the opposite effect above. If I were having a party for which I needed fresh bread I think I would just buy some on the day or the day before rather than relying on Tesco's best before or use by dates which probably don't really mean very much at all.

Me too also short dated things and subs are usually given to me in a yellow bag they do ask me if it is ok before signing and if not they take it back for refund.

geerex

What a ridiculous thread.

It has always been BEST BEFORE END.

This means the product will taste its best before the end of the date quoted (23:59:59). You probably won't die from eating it after this.

53 posts on this? Jesus.

Azari

geerex wrote: »

What a ridiculous thread.

It has always been BEST BEFORE END.

This means the product will taste its best before the end of the date quoted (23:59:59). You probably won't die from eating it after this.

53 posts on this? Jesus.

No need to get yourself in a paddy.

If they mean 'Best before end', then they can print 'Best before end'.

That's the way communication works: You print what you mean and people understand you. You print something that actually means something else and they might guess at what you mean or they might misunderstand you.

Try using a train or other transport ticket that says it must be used 'before' a certain date, on the specified date, and see how far it gets you.

George_Michael

geerex wrote: »

What a ridiculous thread.

It has always been BEST BEFORE END.

53 posts on this? Jesus.

Before ranting it's always better to check your facts first.
As far as the legislation is concerned, "Best before" and "Best before end" are two different markings used for different types of foodstuff.
The term "Best before end" should only be used when the food is expected to last a minimum of 18 months in which case there will only be a year and month shown.

20.—(1) Subject to the following paragraphs of this regulation, the minimum durability of a food shall be indicated by the words “best before” followed by—
(a) the date up to and including which the food can reasonably be expected to retain its specific properties if properly stored,

in the case of a food which can reasonably be expected to retain its specific properties for more than 18 months it may be expressed either in terms of a month and year only or in terms of a year only, if (in either case) the words “best before” are replaced by the words“best before end”.

knightstyle

Best before means just that, there is often no health risk in using after the date. We have just bought six bottles of nice salad dressing for 40p each with a best before date a month ago, we will use them all summer and still be here to annoy you next autumn!

stevemLS

Azari wrote: »

Best before means 'best before'.

It's not short for anything. Did you not learn English comprehension at school.

Please don't post garbage like this - even if you have read something, somewhere, that indicates someone else agrees that the garbage is correct.


On the other hand, a seller could legitimately claim that 'BB' meant 'Best Before end of, because 'BB' does not inherently mean anything and therefore anyone can use it to mean anything they choose.

Apart from being rude and aggressive, you are wrong!

Azari

stevemLS wrote: »

Apart from being rude and aggressive, you are wrong!

LOL, someone else who doesn't understand English.

If you were lying in the road and I was approaching you in a tank, and the commander said; "stop before that idiot in the road", would you rather I stopped 'before' you or 'before the end' of you? :rotfl:

geerex

stevemLS wrote: »

Apart from being rude and aggressive, you are wrong!

He's well known for it on here. You'd think the suspensions would send a message, but obviously not.

stevemLS

Azari wrote: »

LOL, someone else who doesn't understand English.

If you were lying in the road and I was approaching you in a tank, and the commander said; "stop before that idiot in the road", would you rather I stopped 'before' you or 'before the end' of you? :rotfl:

You plainly haven't looked at the law.

Will make it easy for you and link to the specific Regulation

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1996/1499/regulation/20/made