FDF releases new guidance for food and drink manufacturers

The UK’s Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has released a new industry guidance document to help manufacturers set the product shelf life.

FDF anticipates that the new document will help food and drink manufacturers understand the requirements to assign the most appropriate ‘Use By’ or ‘Best Before’ date for their product.

FDF chief scientific officer Helen Munday said: “This easy to use document will guide food and drink manufacturers in assigning and labelling the shelf-life of products appropriately.

“It is our ambition to help manufacturers and those who consume our products ensure the highest levels of food safety alongside meeting waste reduction targets.

“This is part of our contribution to our own environmental Ambition 2025, as well as wider targets such as the Courtauld Commitment 2025.”

The Courtauld 2025 agreement unites organisations across the food system from producer to consumer, to make food and drink production as well as consumption sustainable.

Focusing on the difference between ‘Use By’ and ‘Best Before’ date labelling, the document emphasises the importance of validating the shelf-life proposed for food and the procedure required to do so.

Food Standards Agency chairman Heather Hancock said: “Reducing food waste, without any compromise to the safety of food, is a commitment we at the Food Standards Agency share with the FDF.

“I welcome the publication of this sensible guidance on setting product shelf life and explaining what factors affect the expiry date of a food product.

“This is another welcome step towards preventing safe food from going to waste.”

The document also provides information for the food business operators about factors that affect shelf-life, and practical advice based on common misinterpretations.