Storage and cooking instructions  Use-by dates are put on perishable foods such as ready meals, dairy produce and smoked fish. These dates are intended to inform the consumer of the period after which the foods are unsafe to eat. If a product is not eaten by the specified date, it could be unsafe to eat. Once a packet or jar has been opened, follow storage instructions and don't risk keeping the product for longer than advised. The sell-by or display-until date information is aimed at the shop or retailer. The purpose of these labels is to tell shop workers and managers when the food is approaching its use-by date. The best-before date is a recommendation applied to preserved or longer-lasting foods. Dried or tinned foods are usually not unsafe to eat after the date given, but they may be stale or may have deteriorated in quality after that time. Cooking instructions are given to help consumers get the best results, although frozen foods are an exception. Frozen food often turns out better if it's properly defrosted first, but labels on frozen foods often say 'Best cooked from frozen' in order to protect the manufacturer from possible claims arising from customers' inefficient defrosting. If the food is always cooked from frozen, results will be consistent; food at different stages of defrosting will cook at varying rates, which the manufacturer can't then be responsible for. Eco and welfare logos- CO2The Carbon Footprint label shows the weight of carbon used to manufacture the product (in grams). The carbon generated is measured from the source of the product, through to its sale and disposal of waste. The label, at a trial stage, is designed to help shoppers choose products with the lowest carbon footprint.
- Fairtrade
 The marque given by the Fairtrade Foundation to products that guarantee farmers in the developing world a fair price and better working conditions. Farmers are also paid a premium by the foundation that they can invest for the benefit of the community. - Freedom Food
Applied to meat, eggs and dairy produce, this symbol shows that the RSPCA's standards of animal welfare, from birth to slaughter, have been met.
- LEAF
The Leaf marque is awarded to food from farms that belong to Linking Environment and Farming, an organisation committed to reaching higher environmental standards without being fully organic.
- MSC
The Marine Stewardship Council is a global organisation that certifies well-managed fisheries. Buying fish with the MSC logo shows it comes from a sustainable source.
- Organic
 All UK organic food is certified to the baseline standards set by the European Union Organic Regulations 2004. The standards limit the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides that farmers can use and the drugs that can be given to animals. More environmentally friendly farming and higher standards of animal welfare are encouraged. The Soil Association is the largest certification body for organic products in the UK, accounting for about 70 per cent of all certified produce. Other certification bodies include Organic Farmers and Growers and Organic Food Federation. A full list is available on the Defra website.
Updated May 2009 |
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