Sell by Dates: The Surprising Truth (2024)

Whether we know them as sell-by, best before or use-by, there’s a bewildering array of date labels on the food we buy, but what do they really mean? Which should we adhere to? And which can we safely ignore? In this programme we investigate if food date labels are in fact a con.

Demystifying the dates and the small print on food packaging, journalist Harry Wallop, restaurant critic Jimi Famurewa and other experts reveal all. We discover that use-by dates are the one food date label you should never ignore or we risk getting ill. If a product has gone past its use-by date, there’s only one place for it - the bin!

But we question the use of best before dates, which are are indicators of quality and not food safety, and whether it can be safe to eat food past this date. Getting hands on, our experts even sniff whiffy milk to guess which has gone past its best before date and which they’d happily pour on their cereal.

We uncover the bizarre story behind date labels on food, and the rumoured links to American gangster Al Capone. We also find out that sell-by dates have reached their sell-by date, and are now no longer used in the UK.

Food scientist Dr Chris Clarke puts fetid food under the microscope as he reveals the telltale signs mince and chicken have gone bad, when it’s safe to eat mouldy cheese and gives tips on how to keep vegetables fresh for longer.

Exploring the allure and pitfalls of buying reduced price yellow sticker products – food close to its use-by date – we challenge content creator Gavin Wren to live off nothing but yellow sticker food for five days. Plus, we reveal the secret supermarkets selling discounted food close to or past its best before date.