Ministers say they are in for a shake-up, but "best-before" labels are a familiar sight to every British shopper.

Current guidance from the Food Standards Agency says they are supposed to tell the consumer more about "quality than safety" - indicating when a product may begin to lose its flavour and texture, but not that the product becomes dangerous to eat.

By contrast, "use-by" dates apply to food that goes off quickly, such as meat products, which may put health at risk if eaten after a certain time period.

Anti-waste campaigners argue that "best before" encourages consumers to throw out products that may be perfectly fine - but the retail industry says they are a reliable guide which help consumers plan ahead.

By law, pre-packed food must display a "best-before" date.

The FSA guidance states that, when this date expires, "it doesn't mean that the food will be harmful, but it might begin to lose its flavour and texture".

One exception is eggs, which the FSA says should not be eaten after their "best-before" date because they can contain salmonella bacteria, which could multiply.

The agency cautions that the date is only reliable if the product is stored according to the instructions on the label, such as "keep refrigerated" or "store in a cool, dry place".

These are distinct from "use-by" dates, which are the most important in terms of safety.

Typically found on meats, soft cheeses and dairy-based items, "use by" refers to a time period after which a product should never be eaten, even if it still appears fresh.

Sell-by and display-until dates are for the benefit of the retailer, rather than the customer, and are mainly used for stock control.

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