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A national newspaper* recently carried out a survey of 12 fresh foods including tomatoes, bagged rocket, cooked beef slices, sausage rolls and raw chicken. Surprisingly, a week after the ‘use by’ date all these foods tasted absolutely fine. The chicken didn’t smell brilliant, but lab tests showed that there was no increase in bacteria and it actually tasted fine. The scientist who helped with the experiment said that we should be guided by common sense – if something smells off, it probably is – but that it is generally safe to eat food after its ‘use by’ date. This is because modern manufacturing processes and the use of preservatives keeps food fresh for longer. 

What do you think?

*Daily Mail, 30 May 2011.

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