Millions Risk Health Eating Expired Food to Save Money

Six in ten individuals have consumed food beyond its use-by date in the past month to save money, according to the Food Standards Agency (FSA). This risky behavior persists despite declining inflation, as food prices have risen approximately 39% since January 2021.

Consumers are increasingly making their own rules for food safety, often relying on smell, texture, or taste, which the FSA cautions is unreliable. Harmful bacteria may not change a food's sensory characteristics, posing a hidden health risk.

While the exact number of foodborne illnesses linked to expired food is unknown, the FSA estimates millions of cases annually. The risk is particularly concerning for chilled ready-to-eat foods like smoked fish and cooked meats, where dangerous bacteria like listeria can grow at refrigeration temperatures.

Online grocery shopping further complicates avoiding short-dated products, as consumers lose the ability to select longer-dated items themselves. The FSA advises eating or freezing food by its use-by date, but this relies on careful planning and sufficient shelf life.