Would you buy products after their best before date?

A supermarket chain is to start selling food that is up to a month beyond its ‘best-before’ date in an attempt to reduce waste.

From today, shoppers at the Co-op’s 125 East of England stores will be able to buy a range of out of date products for just 10p.

It will include a large range of items including tinned goods, such as fruit and beans, dried food such as pasta and rice and packet goods including crisps, confectionery and cereal.

The scheme does not include any products with a ‘Use By’ date, including meat, fish and dairy.

It is the first time a major UK food retailer has begun selling food outside its best before date and it is thought others might follow.

It is also hoped the scheme might help educate consumers as to the different definitions of the confusing food safety labels.

What are your views? Would you be happy to buy a product once it has passed its ‘best before date’? Do you currently have items in your cupboard that have passed their BBD and will happily use them? Or are you quite strict about following the guidelines to the letter?