MSE News: Anti-waste charity calls for review into 'use by' dates

rhcp

For eggs, just stick them in a bowl of water and if they float, they have gone off.

Rosemary7391

TravellingAbuela wrote: »

I was born in the mid 1940's. We didn't have sell-by or use-by dates in those days, nor did we have a fridge to help keep items fresh. We had a meat safe in the pantry for meat, butter and cheese and milk was kept in a bucket of cold water. Food was never thrown away as it was too precious thanks to the ongoing rationing. I don't recall us all dropping like flies with food poisoning either!

I don't take a blind bit of notice of sell by/use by dates. The good old sniff test and a bit of common sense is all that's needed.

I only use them until I open the packet - after that I trust my own judgement. I wouldn't throw something away without checking to see if I thought it was off first. Ideally I eat it before then though!

liviboy

TravellingAbuela wrote: »

I was born in the mid 1940's. We didn't have sell-by or use-by dates in those days, nor did we have a fridge to help keep items fresh. We had a meat safe in the pantry for meat, butter and cheese and milk was kept in a bucket of cold water. Food was never thrown away as it was too precious thanks to the ongoing rationing. I don't recall us all dropping like flies with food poisoning either!

I don't take a blind bit of notice of sell by/use by dates. The good old sniff test and a bit of common sense is all that's needed.

Yes but food hygiene standards, bacterial understanding and the processing of foods has changed significantly since the 1940s.

The trouble today is that because you are not buying fresh meat butchered that day, fresh vegetables delivered recently, food without added preservatives, nitrogen atmospheres, etc. then you cannot directly compare.

You only need to look at bagged salad (now that's a waste of money!) - it will stay fresh for up to 10 days in the sealed bag but as soon as it's opened the lettuce will be brown and slimy within 36-48 hours whereas a lettuce on its own would last the week...

I would have severe reservations about eating from an aluminium can sealed today in 40 years time because the aluminium is coated with plastics which will over time degrade, allowing the food to contact and react with the aluminium. Unlike the tin/steel cans of yesteryear which science has shown can be safe to eat many many decades after they were tinned.

liviboy

Rosemary7391 wrote: »

I also have different standards depending on the use - I'll cook with milk I think is turning even if it's a bit past where I'd drink a glass of it. I'm currently finishing off my milk dated 26/2 in my tea! It's fine for that. I think we should encourage folks to assess food for themselves more - use by dates are a worst case scenario, not a reflection of how each person stores and uses their food.

Excuse my potential ignorance but I though that "Best Before" dates were "worst case scenario" and "Use By" dates were safety-critical?

Food can already be contaminated with spoilage bacteria and mold before there is any visible or nasal evidence to the contrary. Just because it smells OK doesn't mean that is.

I don't follow Best Before dates at all but use by I stick to!

jon81uk

liviboy wrote: »

Excuse my potential ignorance but I though that "Best Before" dates were "worst case scenario" and "Use By" dates were safety-critical?

Food can already be contaminated with spoilage bacteria and mold before there is any visible or nasal evidence to the contrary. Just because it smells OK doesn't mean that is.

I don't follow Best Before dates at all but use by I stick to!

Yes, but milk is generally one of those things that will smell or taste bad when it is bad, which can also be before the use by date, or a day or two after.
I've also had chicken that went bad before the use by despite the pack being perfectly sealed, a date isn't the only thing to judge it by.

sarah1972

Mobeer wrote: »

Can't see this making any real difference - most everyone I know will throw away anything past its best before date (including me). Some will throw away items before such dates just to be safe.

Why on earth would you and most people you know throw stuff away before or past its best before date :eek:

Thats how companies like approved foods make money as the best before means nothing, its the use buy dates that you need to keep an eye on and totally disregard the best before.

[Deleted User]

TravellingAbuela wrote: »

I was born in the mid 1940's. We didn't have sell-by or use-by dates in those days, nor did we have a fridge to help keep items fresh. We had a meat safe in the pantry for meat, butter and cheese and milk was kept in a bucket of cold water. Food was never thrown away as it was too precious thanks to the ongoing rationing. I don't recall us all dropping like flies with food poisoning either!

I don't take a blind bit of notice of sell by/use by dates. The good old sniff test and a bit of common sense is all that's needed.

Same here TA I use my nose and my common sense, my late Mum would be horrified at the amount of food thats thrown away today, in our house back in the 1940s what didn't go in the kids went in the dog eventually, and I have survived OK so far. :):)

System

I think manufacturers put consume within x days/weeks once opened on packaging so people believe it and buy more

thriftylass

liviboy wrote: »

Excuse my potential ignorance but I though that "Best Before" dates were "worst case scenario" and "Use By" dates were safety-critical?

Food can already be contaminated with spoilage bacteria and mold before there is any visible or nasal evidence to the contrary. Just because it smells OK doesn't mean that is.

I don't follow Best Before dates at all but use by I stick to!

Best before just means the product is at it's peak in regards to flavour, texture, etc. After that date the flavour intensity, colour, texture might deteriorate but it is safe to eat. More a quality measure.

Use by is a safety thing I regards to spoiling/ going off

If it's sealed and in the fridge freezer I ignore the dates. Can't remember when I last looked at any. Once open I go by senses. We only do one shop a week. That's what the fridge freezer is for.

thriftylass

ScarletMarble wrote: »

I think manufacturers put consume within x days/weeks once opened on packaging so people believe it and buy more

They also do it to be over cautious in case they get sued. So I guess these things are tested (how long till foods go off) but they use the smallest value minus some to use as the date.