Service Description: Investigations of food poisoning and food complaints (including both premises and actual food.) Routine programmed inspections of food premises to ensure they meet legislative requirements for food hygiene, safety and standards.
Also known as:- Advice (Food), Complaints (Food), Dirty Food Premises, Food Hygiene
Answer: It is against the law to display or sell food that has gone beyond its ''use-by'' date. This is because ''use-by'' dates are placed on highly perishable foods, such as cooked meat, which could cause food poisoning if consumed after the date code has expired. Less perishable items, such as frozen food, cakes, cereals and canned food carry a ''best before'' date. This code indicates when food is in its best condition. It is not an offence to sell food beyond its ''best before'' date. However, it is against the law to sell food that has deteriorated to the extent that it has become unfit to eat, and this can occur with products that have gone beyond their ''best before'' date.