healthmedicinet

“Eating certain out of date foods will not cause too much harm but we
must we careful especially as we head into early summer.

“As well as foods, vitamins and supplements also need to be kept fresh to
retain their nutrient value so purchase products that are in foil sealed
packaging to retain their nutrient value.”

He said more people were freezing food as they became more conscious about
wastage, and added: “If we stop buying food ‘just in case’ then we
wouldn’t let so much go to waste.

“It’s time to stop buying things on a whim and give our medicine cabinets
and kitchen cupboards a good old spring clean.”

But the poll found Britons have admitted they would eat certain items even if
they knew they were out of date.

Condiments, tinned food, fruit and vegetables were seen as worth taking a
chance on if they are past the best before date.

One in five said they would be willing to eat eggs if they were out of date –
up to three days would be the longest they would risk it by though.

And one in ten Brits would be willing to try eating uncooked meat four to six
days past their use by date.

One in six would be willing to try mayonnaise past its use by date and one in
seven would risk eating a ready meal after the recommended time.

Medicines were also viewed in the same way, with one in ten admitted to have
never cleaned out their medicine cabinet and more than one in five said they
had only checked it in the last five years.

Dr Sarah Brewer, GP, said “Always check use-by-dates.

”In most cases an out of date supplement won’t cause any harm, but the levels
of vitamins will be reduced and in the case of herbals, the level of active
plant substances will have deteriorated so a dose no longer supplies the
same benefits.

”Don’t panic. foil-sealed medicines and supplements will generally keep
fresher for longer than those supplied in a bottle or tub.”