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| Thread ID: 97874 | 2009-03-02 22:17:00 | Use by/Best by Dates | Poppa John (284) | PC World Chat |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 752811 | 2009-03-03 02:43:00 | In terms of pharmacy, "expiry date" means "we cannot guarantee the medicine provided will still retain its stability after that date". Cheers :) |
Renmoo (66) | ||
| 752812 | 2009-03-03 02:52:00 | These are the official rules: 'Use by' means exactly that. You shouldn't use any food or drink after the end of the 'use by' date shown on the label. Even if it looks and smells fine, using it after this date could put your health at risk and cause food poisoning. You will usually find a 'use by' date on food that goes off quickly, such as milk, soft cheese, ready-prepared salads and smoked fish. It's also important to follow any storage instructions given on food labels, otherwise the food might not last until the 'use by' date. Usually food with a 'use by' date needs to be kept in the fridge. 'Best before' dates are usually used on foods that last longer, such as frozen, dried or canned foods. It should be safe to eat food after the 'best before' date, but the food will no longer be at its best. After this date, the food might begin to lose its flavour and texture. Some food labels also give instructions such as 'eat within a week of opening' and it's important to follow these instructions. But remember, if the 'use by' date is tomorrow, then you must use the food by the end of tomorrow, even if the label says 'eat within a week of opening' and you have only opened the food today. However, I use common sense and my nose as well. So it varies what I actually do. |
pctek (84) | ||
| 752813 | 2009-03-03 03:06:00 | These are the official rules: 'Use by' means exactly that. You shouldn't use any food or drink after the end of the 'use by' date shown on the label. Even if it looks and smells fine, using it after this date could put your health at risk and cause food poisoning. I wouldn't take much notice of useby labels, unless it was well past the date and the food either looked bad or smelled off. I have never had food poisening either, apart from when I was in India. I have known food to go off well before it's useby date too. People need to get tough rather than obeying rules set down by those little labels. It reminds me of the Seinfeld piece he did on 'use by labels' for milk. |
robbyp (2751) | ||
| 752814 | 2009-03-03 14:25:00 | lol India. | roddy_boy (4115) | ||
| 752815 | 2009-03-04 09:00:00 | I largely ignore 'best before' dates. THere are many products that have dates for no real or practical reason. A case in point: In USA contact lenses fall under the category of a medical product. USA law states all medical products must carry an expiry date. As the USA is a very major market, practically every disposable contact lens you will see will carry an expirt date (in case that particular pack ends up in the USA). I had the misfortune to be drafted to work on the ISO Standards regarding contact lens packaging, and I can tell you as a fact that the date ONLY applies to the seal between the plastic case, and it's foil top. The lens will keep for decades, provided the seal doesn't fail. Manufacturers have a love/hate relationship with these dates. If it leads to customers disposing of products they've paid for but haven't even used, then as far as the manufacturers / suppliers are concerned, it's all money in the bank for them. Hell, put a date on everything. Put an expiry date on your banknotes! Spend them ALL before next Tuesday, or they'll be worthless to you. Great solution for an economic meltdown! I should be in Treasury getting paid thousands of your tax dollars! |
Paul.Cov (425) | ||
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