Understanding 'Best Before' and 'Use By' dates
The Food Labelling Regulations 1996
“BEST BEFORE” and “USE BY” DATE CODES OF FOOD
Why do I need to know this ?
It is very important that you understand the different date codes as selling foods after their 'USE BY' date is an offence that carries heavy fines.
Within Kennet, these regulations are enforced, both by County Council Trading Standards Officers and District Council Environmental Health Officers.
The information below describes the two types of code that continue to be used and clarifies the enforcement policies regarding these codes.
'BEST BEFORE' DATES |
| 'Best Before' which may appear on packaging either as 'Best Before 31/01/00' or 'Best Before End Jan 00' This type of coding is mainly applied to non-perishable foods such as breakfast cereals and canned products and represents the date up to which the food can be reasonably expected to retain its characteristics without deterioration, provided it is stored properly. |
| Note It is not an offence to sell foods past or approaching their BEST BEFORE date (within reason) provided the customer is aware of the date expiry. |
USE BY' DATES |
| 'Use by' appears on packaging as 'Use by 31/01/00' This type of coding is applied to highly perishable foods, such as milk, sandwiches, cooked meats etc, which are intended for consumption within a specified period of time. After this specified date, the food may represent a risk to human health, as a result of microbiological growth, if eaten. The USE BY date is designed to ensure that all highly perishable foods are sold and eaten within the period that the food could reasonably be expected to retain its characteristics without deterioration, provided it is stored properly. |
| Note It is an absolute offence to sell food after its 'USE BY' date. This offence carries a maximum fine of £5000 per item of food sold. It is also an offence to alter the 'USE BY' date of any food and this offence carries the same maximum fine of £5000 per item. |
'DISPLAY UNTIL' DATES |
| This is not required by law but may be used by stores to ensure staff know when to remove products from the shelves. It is usually a few days before the 'USE BY' date so that the consumer has a number of days left in which to use the food. |