to think a shop shouldn't be doing this? What should I do?

[Ilovesunflowers]

I just went to a local shop. At the till I was offered some free ham. I looked at the packet the lady was holding up - sandwich ham slices and the date on them was 29.6.13

Obviously the shop wasn't selling them - they were just trying to give them away but that's still 2 days out of date. Should I do anything? My area needs shops and another one closing down wouldn't be a good thing but I still think this is utter madness. Would a letter to them be enough or should I talk to environmental health?

Was that a Sell By date, or a Use By date (or didn't you really look?). If Sell By they can give them away I think.

I should think they value their Trading License too much to do anything foolish !!!

I think you're overreacting. The shop is right in thinking that they can't sell out of date stock, but they know that many people would happily take it off their hands.

They weren't trying to hoodwink you and someone with very little money could benefit from cured meat that is more than likely perfectly edible. Let them get on with it I say.

Aaah, but was it naice ham? If so YABU.

Ok thanks for your thoughts. TBH I didn't see if it was a sell by or use by date. I think meat is normally use by though isn't it?

No they weren't trying to hoodwink anyone so I guess I'll leave it. I used to work at a supermarket and we would have been hung, drawn and quartered for this!

Fuzzysnout - I don't think it was naice ham!

'Tis illegal to offer for consumption food past sell by!
Doesn't matter if it's given away/ samples/ sold. That's the law.
Best before - they just have to make it clear it's past it's date & they can still get into trouble if it's not if the 'nature, quality or something else i cant remember' i.e its mouldy or not edible.
I highly doubt the shop would be shut down by the EHO (you never know, some are power crazed) but they'd certainly get a visit and a harsh warning to stop.
On a personal note I think the food that gets wasted due to overly cautious UB dates is criminal... But that's for another thread!