Use by date

[Firefly]

Is there a definitive regulation for use by dates. Just thinking of how long after processing should a use by date be. Would the date be different for burgers / sausages or specific cuts ? Is this affected by how long the carcass has hung or does countdown start from processing date. Sorry lots of questions there !

TIA Ff

 

[VSS]

Your EHO can provide guidance on this.

Assuming vac packed?

Countdown starts from packing date.

Cuts have a longer shelf life than mince or processed products such as burgers.

Without actually checking, I think I put 10 days on cuts (or 6 months frozen) and 7 days on mince, burgers etc (4 months frozen). That's for sale. For own use you can keep it as long as you dare. Years if frozen.

 

[Firefly]

Your EHO can provide guidance on this.

Assuming vac packed?

Countdown starts from packing date.

Cuts have a longer shelf life than mince or processed products such as burgers.

Without actually checking, I think I put 10 days on cuts (or 6 months frozen) and 7 days on mince, burgers etc (4 months frozen). That's for sale. For own use you can keep it as long as you dare. Years if frozen.

Great Thanks VSS yes vac packed. Normally I freeze everything straight away but thinking of doing some fresh for a change.

 

[VSS]

I was also assuming that you pack it straight after butchering it, not keep the cuts sitting about in the fridge before packing.

 

[tozzybum]

When I worked in Littlewoods food Hall many years ago they always said allow 2 weeks after use by date.
Don't know if that was the " legal " regulations but I'm still here and still freezing and eating short dated food.

 

[Stevie/P]

When I worked in Littlewoods food Hall many years ago they always said allow 2 weeks after use by date.
Don't know if that was the " legal " regulations but I'm still here and still freezing and eating short dated food.

Your nose will tell if something is out of date I’m with you tozzy far too much food wasted because of use by dates.

 

[Foxyboy43]

Hmmm. i
I’m with you Supersport - as a quick addition to the barbie the other night I added a bit of fallow neck - just dusted with S&P - it was lovely and 3 years in the freezer!

 

[75]

When I worked in Littlewoods food Hall many years ago they always said allow 2 weeks after use by date.
Don't know if that was the " legal " regulations but I'm still here and still freezing and eating short dated food.

It's all relative... For example, something that's got a 3 month use by date will be fine after a couple of extra weeks (and more likely). But I wouldn't be going 2 weeks past use by date on shellfish!

 

[75]

Is there a definitive regulation for use by dates. Just thinking of how long after processing should a use by date be. Would the date be different for burgers / sausages or specific cuts ? Is this affected by how long the carcass has hung or does countdown start from processing date. Sorry lots of questions there !

TIA Ff

If it's any help, my EHO was happy with me putting "Packed on..." date rather than "Use by" then the onus is on the customer to use common sense. I doubt that approach is universal across all EHOs though but that's what I do (but if I didn't I'd go with VSS's numbers).

 

[Dunwaters]

Hmmm. i
I’m with you Supersport - as a quick addition to the barbie the other night I added a bit of fallow neck - just dusted with S&P - it was lovely and 3 years in the freezer!

Thats fine and dandy for yourself, but it just won’t do when you’re selling to the teeming hordes.
Those little traceability labels are there for a reason.

 

[Foxyboy43]

Thats fine and dandy for yourself, but it just won’t do when you’re selling to the teeming hordes.
Those little traceability labels are there for a reason.

Yep, I would expect that of any food going into the commercial chain; mind you not that long ago horse meat mysteriously slipped the net!
Bear in mind venison is hard to come by up here (NI) and Mrs FB is half-Aberdonian!

 

[Dunwaters]

Yep, I would expect that of any food going into the commercial chain; mind you not that long ago horse meat mysteriously slipped the net!
Bear in mind venison is hard to come by up here (NI) and Mrs FB is half-Aberdonian!

How much would you like?
FOC sika hind or calf cuts from last season

 

[Foxyboy43]

How much would you like?
FOC sika hind or calf cuts from last season

Do you deliver?

 

[Dunwaters]

Do you deliver?

Not generally, but I have a brother that tips up North regularly, Newry, Belfast, XMG area generally.
I’ll be up in Victoria bridge ( probably) myself in September and likely be breezing through a few more times en route to Donegal.
Drop off should be possible, or if you tip down here yourself I’m close to both the M1 and M2.
Theres also ye olde bush delivery system, you can pretty much guarantee that we’re no more than 3 phone calls from “placing“ each other…
I have a bit of spare frozen stuff, it’ll just go to the dogs otherwise.

 

[Foxyboy43]

Not generally, but I have a brother that tips up North regularly, Newry, Belfast, XMG area generally.
I’ll be up in Victoria bridge ( probably) myself in September and likely be breezing through a few more times en route to Donegal.
Drop off should be possible, or if you tip down here yourself I’m close to both the M1 and M2.
Theres also ye olde bush delivery system, you can pretty much guarantee that we’re no more than 3 phone calls from “placing“ each other…
I have a bit of spare frozen stuff, it’ll just go to the dogs otherwise.

That is a very kind offer sir - thank you very much.
At this moment I have most of a couple of park fallow in the freezers so pretty much ok for a while yet (and no freezer space anyhoo). Since it got really difficult bringing stuff back from Scotland (not even mentioning the B word cos it will prompt the usual tirade from the usual places) venison has been a bit thin on the ground so I may well indeed have to take you up on your generosity.

 

[EssBee]

Follow VSS advice EHP for your local authority will be able to give you the info you need.

 

[devon deer stalker]

If it's any help, my EHO was happy with me putting "Packed on..." date rather than "Use by" then the onus is on the customer to use common sense. I doubt that approach is universal across all EHOs though but that's what I do (but if I didn't I'd go with VSS's numbers).

There is a cross over, EHO and trading standards, when TS visited me to check my scales I asked the same question, with meat they said 'use by', when I asked advice on dates they gave general advice as it's only us that knows the conditions it has been kept at after point of kill. TS are pretty hot on the correct labelling.

 

[Dunwaters]

That is a very kind offer sir - thank you very much.
At this moment I have most of a couple of park fallow in the freezers so pretty much ok for a while yet (and no freezer space anyhoo). Since it got really difficult bringing stuff back from Scotland (not even mentioning the B word cos it will prompt the usual tirade from the usual places) venison has been a bit thin on the ground so I may well indeed have to take you up on your generosity.

No worries, anytime.

 

[wytonpjs]

I recollect reading DEFRA/FSA material saying 7 days after vacuum packing for fresh. I then freeze at that point and label with a best consumed date of 12 months for that I sell frozen and any I retain after that for personal use, up to 24 months. I try to keep below that if possible.

 

[Firefly]

If it's any help, my EHO was happy with me putting "Packed on..." date rather than "Use by" then the onus is on the customer to use common sense. I doubt that approach is universal across all EHOs though but that's what I do (but if I didn't I'd go with VSS's numbers).

I currently do just that, but all is frozen on day of processing. Thinking of doing some fresh ‘venison boxes’ this year so thought it might be better to have a ‘use by’ I shall contact EHO for a definitive answer.