Food Labelling
No food lasts forever, however well it is stored. Most pre-packed foods carry either a 'use by' or 'best before' date. Check them carefully.
- 'Use by' dates - are for highly perishable foods - those that 'go off' quite quickly. No-one likes to waste food but it can be dangerous to eat foods past their 'use by' date. Any food with a "use by" date is perishable and capable of supporting the growth of pathogenic micro-organisms e.g. listeria. It must be stored under the conditions set out on the label, e.g refrigerate at less than 5oC , and eaten within the "use by" date specified. It is an offence to sell food beyond its "use by" date.
Should you see any food on sale beyond its "use by" date please contact The Food Safety Team on 01730 266551 or email
ehealth @easthants.gov.uk
- 'Best before' dates are for foods with a longer life. They indicate the date, up until which, the the food will be at its best quality. Some foodstuffs may still be edible after the 'best before' date has elapsed but the quality of the product may have deteriorated. Although retailers are not breaking the law by selling food past its 'best before' date, they place themselves at greater risk of prosecution under Section 14 of the food Safety Act 1990 (sale of food that is not of the quality demanded by the purchaser). This is a provision of the Act which is enforced by Hampshire County Trading Standards Department.
For further information about food labelling and food composition contact
Hampshire County Council's Trading Standards Department