Listen: Dr Dawn Harper warning us about use-by date

Despite concerns of public health over the last 12 months due to Covid-19, three quarters of adults across England, Wales and Northern Ireland have knowingly eaten food past its use-by date (76%), whilst half don’t check the use-by date of food before eating it, exposing themselves to risk of food poisoning, according to new figures released today.

A snapshot poll of over 2,000 people released by the Food Standards Agency, reveals that, despite caution in many areas of life over the last year, 55-75s have been the demographic least likely to change their behaviour and check food use-by dates (90%), often relying on sniffing food to determine if it’s safe to eat (82%).

Not being able to identify the correct definition of a use-by date is a major concern, with half of adults unable to do this (50%). Instead, 44% of adults view use-by dates as a ‘useful guide’, similar to a best before date, not realising the potential health risks, such as food poisoning, for themselves or their family.

Aston spoke to Dr Dawn Harper and chief scientific advisor for Food Standards Agency Professor Robin May to warn us about the impacts of eating foods past it’s use-by date.

Photo by Dan Gold on Unsplash