Almost one in five UK adults eating food past its use-by date, ONS survey finds

Almost one in five UK adults resorted to eating food past its use-by date or eating smaller portions this winter, as inflation keeps the cost of groceries high.

Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) looked at how increases in the cost of living and difficulties accessing NHS services have impacted people’s lives.

After surveying thousands of households, the ONS found 18% of adults asked were eating smaller portions, and 18% eating food past its use-by date.

Those reporting moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms, those with diabetes, and those with children were more likely to be resorting to smaller portions or out of date food.

Around one in seven adults (15%) the ONS spoke to were also worried about running out of food before they had money to buy more.

The European Food Information Council advises that food should not be eaten past its use-by date, but you “can eat food past its best-before date if it looks, smells and tastes fine”.

Jason Webb, managing director at Electronic Temperature Instruments – which manufactures digital thermometers for cooking – said: “This again raises the issue of ‘best-before dates’ versus ‘use-by dates’.

“‘Best-before’ products could be eaten for days, weeks, or even months beyond the date on the packaging depending on the food type and how it’s been stored. It’s important to remember that a ‘use-by’ date is the safety marker and is there to protect us.

“Food with a ‘use-by’ date should never be eaten after that date, so we should try to use or freeze these items before they expire.”

He added: “Education is key to help people better understand what produce is safe to eat and when.”

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The poll from the ONS asked people how they were impacted by winter pressures between 22 November and 18 December 2022.

It also found almost a quarter of adults (24%) reported they were occasionally, hardly ever, or never, able to keep comfortably warm.

Respondents experiencing moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms (44%) and people using pre-payment, or “top-up”, meters for energy bills (41%) were more likely to report this.

Of those who ran out of food – and couldn’t afford to buy more – more than two-thirds (70%) said they were less likely to keep comfortably warm.

NHS wait times, exercise, and vaping

The report also looked at waiting times for treatment on the NHS – and the impact this was having.

Around one in five (21%) adults reported they were waiting for a hospital appointment, test, or to start receiving medical treatment through the health service, while some 48% of people with depressive symptoms and 37% of those with a disability said the wait for NHS access was having a strong negative impact on their lives.

Almost a quarter (23%) of adults who needed to see a GP reported not being able to get an appointment and again, adults who experienced moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms (30%) were more likely to report this.

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Around one in seven adults (15%) reported doing much, or slightly, less physical activity because of increases in the cost of living. In contrast, around one in 10 (9%) reported doing much, or slightly, more physical activity.

The increased cost of living has also seen 5% of adults smoke less – with just 1% reporting it was causing them to smoke more – and 3% of adults asked said they were vaping more.