Can shops legally sell out of date food if a sign clearly states out of date?
Shops are allowed to sell food after its ‘best before’ date has passed. ‘best before’ dates are concerned with quality rather than safety, so it doesn’t mean that the food is dangerous if the ‘best before’ date has passed. However, if you buy food after the date, remember that it might no longer be at its best. ‘Use by’ dates are different to ‘best before’ dates and it is against the law to sell any food that has passed its ‘use by’ date. Using it after this date could put your health at risk. In all cases, whether or not the ‘best before’ date has expired, the law says that food sold must not put people’s health at risk and must not be falsely or misleadingly described or presented.
