Ah, crisps — the nation’s favourite snack. Whether you’re a fan of tangy cheese & onion, classic ready salted, or fancy something wild like roast beef and horseradish, there’s one question that might leave you scratching your head at the checkout: “Is it legal to sell crisps that are out of date?”
Let’s crunch into the facts.
Best Before vs Use By: Know Your Dates
First things first — not all dates are created equal. In the UK, food products typically carry one of two types of date labels: “use by” or “best before”.
- Use By dates are about safety. You’ll find these on perishable items like milk, meat, or that chicken tikka sandwich you forgot about last Tuesday. Selling food past its use by date? That’s illegal and could land you in serious trouble — not to mention make someone very unwell.
- Best Before dates, on the other hand, refer to quality, not safety. Crisps fall into this tasty category. When a packet of crisps passes its best before date, it might not be as crunchy, and the flavour might fade a bit — but it’s still safe to eat.
So here’s the punchline: Yes, it is legal to sell out-of-date crisps — as long as they’ve passed their “best before” date, not their “use by” date.
The Legal Bits (Hold the Vinegar)
Under UK food law, it’s perfectly legal to sell food past its best before date, provided it’s still safe to eat and clearly labelled. Retailers must make sure that:
- The product is not harmful to health.
- It’s not misleading to the consumer.
- The best before date is still visible or communicated to the customer.
So if you see a shop flogging bags of crisps from last month’s multipack, don’t panic. They might be doing it legally — and you might be getting a bargain (especially if you like your crisps a bit softer around the edges).
What About Big Supermarkets?
You’ll rarely see big-name supermarkets selling crisps past their best before. Why? Brand image, consistency, and customer expectations. No one wants to be known as “that shop” selling limp crisps from 2022.
But smaller shops, discount stores, and savvy online sweet and snack sellers? They might just have the good sense to keep selling perfectly edible snacks at a knockdown price.
Crisps Past Their Prime: A Risk or a Reward?
Look, we’re not saying you should treat yourself to a bag of 2015’s finest prawn cocktail crisps, but if something’s only a little past its best before date, you’re probably fine. Just check the packaging, give them a sniff, and trust your tastebuds. Worst case? They’re a bit chewy. Best case? Bargain deliciousness.
Final Verdict: Crisp but Legal
So, is it legal to sell out-of-date crisps in the UK? Absolutely — if they’re past their best before date, not their use by date. Just make sure the shop is upfront about it, and you’re aware of what you’re buying.
And remember: the law says they’re safe — your tastebuds might say otherwise. But if you’re in it for a cheap crunch, it might just be worth the gamble.