Are Shops Allowed To Sell Food Products That Have Passed Their "Display Until"� Date?

Yes. There is no law against so doing. "Display Until" labels are mainly used as a guide to shelf-stackers. The products labeled in this way are only guaranteed to be in peak condition before the "display until date". Lots of retailers want sub-standard products off their shelves and this form of labeling helps them achieve this goal. Some products are marked with a "display until" and a "use by" date. Look out for the "use by" date. This is the legally binding date and retailers with goods still on their shelves bearing "use by" dates which have expired can be prosecuted. Don't eat foods after their "use by" date is you want to ensure you do not consume food contaminated with bacteria which could make you ill. However, many consumers prefer to rely on their eyes, nose and sense of taste as the best guide to freshness and manufacturers and retailers do set "use by" dates which allow a margin for error.

Most shops will not do this because of the stigma which is attached. There have been many reports in the media of sell by stuff still on shelves with false information in the articles. Often shops take this food out of circulation a week or so before the date and offer it at cut prices, or they send it off to needy organisations to be used for feeding homeless people and similar.