UK Food Sell-By-Dates Dumped To Save Millions

Food Sell-By-dates Dumped To Save Millions

It has been announced that as from today food manufacturers will no longer be allowed to plant the seed that their food has gone off.

Sell-by-dates are being dumped in favour of new guidelines which will see food and drink labels with just one date rather than a ‘best before’ or ‘use by’.

Not only will the new manufacturers guidelines save a staggering £12 billion of perfectly good food being put into the bins every years but by will also save a typical family £680 every year by believing their food has ‘gone off’.

“We want to end the food labelling confusion and make it clear once and for all when food is good and safe to eat.

“This simpler and safer date labelling guide will help households cut down on the £12billion worth of good food that ends up in the bin”, said Environmental Secretary Caroline Spelman today.

The new ‘Use By’ labels will only be used on food which is considered ‘unsafe’ to eat after a certain date including: Meat, Fish, Eggs, Cheese and Ready Meals.

The news has been welcomed by campaigners wanting to change the UK’s food labelling system that was introduced in 1980.

“There is a lot of confusion among customers about date marks.

“A number of different dates can be found on our food, so we need to make sure that everyone knows the difference between them.

“We always emphasise that use by dates are the most important, as these relate to food safety.

“This new guidance will give greater clarity to the food industry on which date mark should be used on their products while maintaining consumer protection.”, said Liz Redmond of the Foods Standards Agency.