‘Sniff test’ explained as Morrisons scraps milk 'use by' dates

Milk ‘use by’ dates will be scrapped by Morrisons, with consumers encouraged to do a sniff test after a ‘best before’ date passes (image: Shutterstock)

Every year, UK farmers produce more than six billion litres of milk for our fridges.

But, according to recycling and food waste prevention charity Wrap, around 278 million litres (490 million pints) of this milk is wasted every year.

In fact, milk is the third most wasted food and drink product in the UK behind only potatoes and bread.

In a bid to stop at least some of this wastage, major supermarket Morrisons has announced plans to scrap use by dates on 90% of its own-brand milk.

The retailer will instead introduce ‘best before’ dates and will encourage consumers to use the sniff test.

Morrisons’ announcement will impact 90% of its own-brand fresh milk (image: Morrisons)

But how does a ‘best before’ date differ from a ‘use by’ one, what is the sniff test - and how exactly will these two measures help reduce milk waste?

Here’s everything you need to know.

Best before dates explained

If you look at almost any food or drink item, regardless of whether it’s refrigerated or in a tin, you will either see a ‘use by’ or ‘best before’ date on the packaging.

While the terms might appear to be interchangeable, they actually mean very different things.

‘Use by’ dates relate to food safety and appear on products with a short shelf life, e.g. milk, while ‘best before’ dates are to do with food quality and usually appear on longer-life products.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA), which regulates the safety of all food and drink in the UK, says you can consume products with a ‘use by’ date up to and including the day on which it runs out.

But it states the product should not be eaten, cooked or frozen after this date as it could be unsafe, for example bacteria may have developed which could cause food poisoning.

‘Best before’ dates relate to a product’s quality rather than food safety (image: Morrisons)

Items with a ‘best before’ date can be safe to eat once this date has been passed, but may not carry the same flavour or texture.

Under its proposals, Morrisons will move all of its milk products manufactured by dairy supplier Arla from a ‘use by’ date to a ‘best before’ date system.

No date has been set for the move, but it will affect 90% of its own-brand milk products.