‘I’m a nutrition expert – 15 food items can be eaten beyond their expiry date’

Earlier this year, Marks & Spencer scrapped use-by dates on milk in an effort to cut food waste. Use-by dates tell customers when it’s safe to eat food.

M&S are instead using best-before dates which are recommendations on freshness but are also urging customers to use their judgement. Morrisons also changed their milk labelling.

According to WRAP, 70 percent of food waste is made up of household waste. Although the UK has cut down on its food waste, there’s still far too much edible food being thrown away by Britons.

With this in mind, food experts are urging Britons to get into the habit of ditching dates and instead pay attention to the condition of the food.

Ashleigh Tosh from MuscleFood.com said: “As well as buying less and keeping on top of their weekly budgets, Britons looking to save some cash should turn their attention to food waste.

READ MORE: Exact time M&S, Tesco, Waitrose and other supermarkets slash prices in store

“Throwing away perfectly good food makes a huge impact on households. Best-before dates are largely unnecessary and lead people to think they can’t eat certain foods, even though they are usually completely fine to be eaten.

“Judging perishable foods based on their expiry date rather than their appearance or smell means people are wasting perfectly good food, and throwing their money in the bin.

“All you need to do is make sure food is stored properly to keep it fresher for longer.”

With this in mind, MuscleFood.com have shared which 15 foods Britons can eat past their expiration date.

Foods which can be eaten past their expiration date:

Potatoes

Potatoes can actually last up to three months after their use-by date if they’re stored in a cold, dark, dry place.

However, when they’re stored at room temperature, they will only last two to three weeks.

Bread

If stored correctly, most bread can last up to seven days beyond its expiry date. However, be sure to check for mould before eating it.

Cereals

If boxes are closed properly and kept in a dark, dry place then they it should last beyond its expiry date.

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Yoghurt

If unopened, yoghurts can last up to two weeks beyond their expiry date.

Frozen fruit and veg

These can last for eight to 10 months beyond their expiry date if they’re kept frozen.

Vinegar

Vinegar doesn’t expire in the same way other foods do, however, it’s worth noting the flavour may change over time.

White rice

When kept in an airtight container in a cool, dark and dry place, white rice should last beyond its expiry date.

Flour

In the long term, flour needs to be kept in an airtight container in a cool, dark and dry place.

Dry pasta

Dry pasta can last up to 24 months after the expiry date when stored in the correct conditions.

Soy sauce

Whether soy sauce is off or not should be judged by what it looks like, not by its label.

The condiment has a long shelf life but if left open for an extended time, it’s best to check for mould and bad odour.

Biscuits

If biscuits are unopened, they will last beyond their expiry date.

Peanut butter

Unopened jars are still good for up to a year past their labelled expiry date.

Dairy milk

Milk can last up to five days past its printed date but if you’re unsure, you can give it a sniff.

Pre-packaged salad

Rather than relying on the date on the packaging, pay attention to the leaves and throw away any wilted ones.

Fresh fruit

As long as there is no visible mould or apparent smell, fresh fruit is fine to eat past its expiry date.

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