How much notice should I take of 'use by' dates on food?

Answer 1

It kind of depends......fish....take notice, a definite no/no to eat fish after the sell by date. Milk...smell the milk, you can tell if it's gone off. Meat, I wouldn't go past the sell by date. Things like yoghurt and stuff, you can usually tell.

It depends what it is really, but seriously don't eat any fish past it's sell by date....you're asking for trouble if you do!! :o)

Answer 2

Depends on the item.
Depends how its been stored.
Make sure you keep fridgey things in the fridge and unopened as long as possible and they may be ok for a few extra days.

Don't take too much notice, after all since when has fruit and veg had to have best before dates.
If in doubt look and sniff. You'll know!

I've had bread go off before the use by date and i've had bread last days longer.
In the summer things may not last as long.

Answer 3

If it says Use by, then that is the date you should use it before.

If it says Use by...then has a number in brackets after it, (1) for example, it means you can go one day over that.

Best before means you can have it a reasonable length of time after the date shown....though not too long

Sell by means you have around three days to use it after the date stated.

Also depends on what it is...anything like meat fish etc. it's not worth taking any chances.

Hope that helps.

Answer 4

Those dates are there for a couple of reasons.

"Use by" dates on fresh foods are there to protect your health. Bacteria do live in them and can harm you if you use them after the date. They'll also generally make the food taste/smell really bad.

"Best if used by" dates on packaged foods are generally to protect the maker's reputation. It probably won't harm you to eat Fruit Loops past the date, but you won't enjoy them, either.

Answer 5

They are a guide line, after this date the quality of the food will start to deteriorate. The food doesnt have a little brain that says oh look at the date i must be rotten.

Answer 6

Meat, fish, milk & cheese products should be used up by the end of the day on the packet. They do tend to go off very quickly afterwards. If something has been stored in the freezer, it should still be alright after 3 months.

Answer 7

All depends on what the food is. Fresh meat for example I would take a lot of notice - tinned foods, I'd risk a month

Answer 8

use by dates are just a guideline and are there to protect manufacturers against prosecution.If something is passed it's use by date trust your senses if it smells,looks or tastes odd then dont use it.Unless it's way past the UBD or your elderly or very young the worst that will happen is a case of the aztec two step.

Answer 9

If you're like me and have a very acute sense of smell, rely on your nose more than the dates set by manufacturers. Chicken is the only one that I would be extra careful about.

Answer 10

cakes and most dryish things are ok for a short time over the sell by date but milk, fresh cream, meats and the likes, you would be better to bin them when out of date