The humble sell-by date actually has a surprisingly short history. It was introduced in Marks & Spencers storerooms in the 1950s before making its way on to the shelves in 1970.
When did food dating begin?
Food dating emerged in the 1970s, prompted by consumer demand as Americans produced less of their own food but still demanded information about how it was made. The dates solely indicate freshness, and are used by manufacturers to convey when the product is at its peak.
Who introduced sell by dates?
Sell-by dates were first used at M&S in 1970, several years before they became compulsory. This new innovation was designed to make sure that foods were as fresh as possible when they reached the customer. An M&S employee remembers: I was 17 years old when I started work at Marks & Spencer in Stevenage 1973.
When did use by dates start in UK?
1950s Not required by law. First used by Marks & Spencer in its stock rooms during the 1950s, sell by dates only gravitated onto the shop floor in 1973 “as a guarantee of freshness”. However, they are grounded in neither food safety nor food quality tests and serve no function for consumers, according to the FSA.
Why is there a date on food?
It tells you how long the product will be at its best flavor and quality. Baked goods, cereals, snacks, frozen entrees and some canned food will have freshness dating. The food is safe to eat after this date. Though, that three-year-old candy bar might taste stale, have an odd flavor or be chewier than normal.
Can you eat mac and cheese after expiration?
Canned goods and shelf-stable foods like boxed macaroni-and-cheese have greater latitude than their perishable cousins. Unopened, they can be eaten a year or two past their expiration dates, although there have been more extreme examples.
When did best before date start?
It was introduced in Marks & Spencers storerooms in the 1950s before making its way on to the shelves in 1970. It wasnt even actually called a sell-by-date until 1973.
Do Kraft Singles expire?
But basically, Kraft Singles were invented to never expire.
When did Best before dates become mandatory?
It was introduced in Marks & Spencers storerooms in the 1950s before making its way on to the shelves in 1970. It wasnt even actually called a sell-by-date until 1973.
How far past Best before is safe?
Foods that have a best before date can legally be sold after that date provided the food is fit for human consumption. The only food that can have a different date mark on it is bread, which can be labelled with a baked on or baked for date if its shelf life is less than seven days.