Mumsnet users share tips and recipes for using up food with Sainsbury's

[EllieMumsnet]

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‘Best before’, ‘use by’, ‘display until’…many of us are confused about what the dates on food labels really mean, and whether it’s safe to eat food that has passed the deadline. Sainsbury’s is on a mission to get to the bottom of this confusion and bust the myth that you can’t use food past its ‘best before’ date, therefore they would love you to share your top tips and recipes for using up food which has passed its ‘best before’ deadline.

Here’s what Sainsbury’s has to say: “We know that there is a lot of confusion between ’best before’ and ’use by’ dates, which is why are working with Mumsnet to dispel the myths about food date labels and to stop food from being thrown away that is still good to eat. After we found out through a previous Mumsnet thread that many of you throw away food that is past its ‘best before’ date, we created the below video to encourage people to rethink and make sure their food doesn’t end up in the bin”

Do you use the smell test on food that’s passed it’s ‘best before’ date and if it smells fine do you think it’s then it’s ok to be eaten? Have you got any easy recipes that are your go-to’s for using up food? Or maybe there are certain foods which you know will be fine past their ‘best before’?

Take a look at the video and share with us your top tips and recipes for using food which has gone past its ‘best before’ dates to be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 Sainsbury’s voucher.

Thanks and good luck!
MNHQ

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I freeze food if it is within date but otherwise bin it.

I remember to put things in the freezer or just chuck it in a make shift dinner haha

Best before dates are entirely misleading, just a device to get people to throw away (and therefore buy more) perfectly good food.

I would use any food with a best before date as long as it looks, smells and tastes ok.

I freeze anything freezeable as soon as possible but for perishables it depends on how it appears. I'm a bit more cautious with 'use by' on fresh meat. I tend to freeze anything that might not get used in time. I'll prepare fruit and veg before freezing so it's easier to use in recipes.

use left over vegetables to make veggie cakes similar to fish cakes covered in breadcrumbs

Whipping things in to a smoothie or soup is always a great one for me

Will eat food that is a day or two past its best before date as long as it looks and smells ok! Won't use anything past the use by date esp any dairy products! Usually eat any leftovers for lunch and black bananas go into a banana cake

I always freeze, or put into savoury muffins like bananas for example. Avocados freeze well mashed with a little emon juice.

Leftovers make excellent pie fillings

I try to batch cook food and then freeze it ... it also cuts down on cooking time so that I have more me time !

Dont overbuy food. Meal plan and that way you get much less waste

I tend not to listen to the best before dates and rely on my own common sense. Veg especially lasts for ages in the fridge. If fruit or veg is looking a bit past it's best then I use it in soups or smoothies and I use a lot of fruit which is past its best in cakes. It might not look great but using it this way it still tastes delicious.
Bread is something that I am always using after it has gone a bit stale. I use it in bread and butter puddings and I make a lot of breadcrumbs which I then freeze and just use as and when I need them.

Yes, I do eat food passed its beast before date it is very different from a use by date. I check it over smell it before using it but most things can be used passed its best before date, some fruits and veg need a bit longer to fully ripen, its only a guide.

I cook in bulk once a week & freeze individual portions so I have enough for the rest of the month

I tend to make soup or curry with veg that looks a bit tired!! We always eat leftovers the next day, we rarely waste food.

I use my nose in regards to 'sell by' dates. Any leftover meats I always use in stir frys... I always use the chicken carcass for stock making etc.

I try to cook a bit batch and use it for lunches

Soup! Slightly tired veg is fine in soup.

Stir fry, omelettes or pizza pasties and stews

I dont always go by use by dates, I do cook and freeze food going out of dates. I always use left overs the next day.

Use your nose,eyes & common sense.
If you let something get past its date & you are not going to use it make soup & freeze it.

I don't use anything past It's use by date, espcially meat but will use food after It's best before date. If food is freezable I'll put it in the freezer before It's use by date and use it at a later date.

I wouldn't eat meat or anything like yoghurt past its date but otherwise I've never had any problems. Not saying I'd go massively beyond the date but all my fruit and veg is pretty much past its date (mainly coz everything in the supermarkets have such dreadful dates and I don't have time to shop two or three times a week) and I find its fine if kept in the fridge

If it smells ok then it's usually ok to eat so I don't throw food away. Vegetable and fruit leftovers go to make compost and anything goes in the dog!

Congratulations to @EggysMom for winning the £300 Sainsbury's voucher!

MNHQ