A food expert has told the safety differences between use-by and best before dates on products.
Agnes Bouchier-Hayes explained the difference on Claire Byrne on RTE Radio 1 this morning., saying: “The shelf life is the time period that the food maintains acceptable and desirable characteristics. In the legislation, there’s a minimum date of durability which is the best before date which is a guidance.
"Another thing required by legislation is the use by date when it is not safe to consume that product. It takes into account when it’s held at the proper temperature and the correct storage.”
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Agnes said that use-by dates are not needed on vegetables and other items “because we haven’t changed any of the factors in regards to that product”. The decision is entirely up to the consumer in that situation.
“The carrot or the potato is in the state that it normally is,” she added. “As the consumer, you can make an informed decision. However, if I take that potato, cut it and change some of its factors which will affect it internally and will need a use-by or best before date.
“When buying vegetables, sugar, salt, vinegar, some bakery products, beverages containing more than 10 percent of alcohol, there are certain things that we don’t have to have on it. However, multiples were putting a minimum date of durability on something for their own stock rotation or information.”
68 percent of consumers use use-by dates, according to the TUS-MidWest lecturer.
She admitted: “My worry is that 32 percent don’t use it. I know myself, I chance it, I take the risk. That’s me making an informed decision in my own home about what I’m going to consume myself.
“But the manufacturer takes every due care to keep the consumer safe. Manufacturers were putting use-by dates on potatoes but they were never necessary to begin with. Pre-prepared pineapple or melon, you have to use it before the use-by date.
“Use-by is normally used on highly perishable foods or foods that have high bacteria in them - after a period of time, this food is likely to cause harm. The best before date has to do with the quality and some of the sensory aspects, the aroma, the taste, the flavour, if there’s been any change in regards to the vitamin content. That's guidance and it can be used afterwards.
“It can be sold beyond that date but you’re making that decision yourself. A use-by date can’t be sold beyond that."
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