Re: Use by date.
Seems to be some confusion over the difference between
“Use By” and “Best Before”
Not being ill after eating food long past its “best before” date does not prove the labels are useless.
“Use by” dates indicate when a product may no longer be safe to eat. Usually for fresh produce or ready prepared foods that contain fresh produce.
I generally try to use things well before the use by date or pop them in the freezer or cook it into a meal I can freeze and eat later.
If it has gone a bit past the use by date, I tend to use my nose and common sense but, if in doubt, I wouldn’t use it.
You can still eat food after its best before date, but its flavour and texture may not be as good as before the date.
They‘re useful indicators to remind me how old stuff is and it helps with rotating my stock cupboard to use the oldest tin or packet first.