Warning to anyone who buys lettuce as people reminded 'eat it by midnight'

With the cost of food items going up, now is a great time to umderstand how you can make the most of the items in your fridge. Including how to save them before they go off.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has released a guide on best before and use-by-dates and how to understand the difference to avoid food waste or illness.

They state that use by date is "the most important date to remember" as eating food after it could cause food poisoning. There can be found on food that goes off quickly, such as meat or bags of lettuce.

You can consume food until midnight on the use-by date listed, but not beyond that unless it has been cooked or frozen.

Even if a product like lettuce looks and smells fine, you should never eat it after the use-by date has passed. Consuming food beyond this date can make you seriously ill, according to FSA.

In contrast, a best-before date indicates that food is safe to eat after that date, but it may not be at its best quality.

Use-by dates are commonly found on items that spoil quickly, such as meat and ready-to-eat salads like lettuce, and some fruit juices and dairy products. You can check out the FSA website for more information.

To ensure the use-by date is effective, follow storage instructions carefully. For example, if the packaging advises refrigeration after opening, make sure you store the food at 5°C or below. Proper chilling is essential for food safety.

If you cook food on the use-by date, you can refrigerate it afterward. Cooking kills pathogens, allowing you a bit more time to use the food. However, you must eat it within 48 hours or freeze it for later use. If you freeze it, label it with the date to avoid mystery items in your freezer.

Remember, after the use-by date, do not eat, cook, or freeze the food. Bacteria that cause illness are not detectable by smell, so always adhere to use-by dates for your safety.

Use-by dates

A use-by date on food is about safety, and foods include:

• Meat products including chicken, beef, pork, turkey and lamb
• Dairy products including some milk, soft cheeses, and yogurts
• Unpasturised juice
• Ready-to-eat salads like lettuce

Best before dates

The best before date, sometimes shown as BBE (best before end), is about quality, and foods include:

• Frozen foods (such as peas, chips and ice cream)
• Fried foods (such as pasta and rice)
• Tinned foods (such as baked beans and canned tomatoes)
• Cheese