How buying food past its best before date saved one savvy shopper 拢7,000
Jane Macadam used to spend 拢120 every 10 days on a food shop but is now spending only 拢50 for herself and her husband - more than halving her annual bill.
Thursday 8 December 2022 07:17, UK
A savvy shopper said she has saved more than 拢7,000 on her weekly shop since 2019 by purchasing products past their best before date.
Jane Macadam used to spend £120 every 10 days on a food shop but is now spending only £50 for herself and her husband - more than halving her annual bill.
The cost of living crisis has seen food inflation hit some of its highest levels, running at 13.9% in the 12 weeks up to October.
Jane found Approved Food - an online supermarket that fights food waste by selling good quality products past their 'best before' date at reduced prices - after googling discounted food options four years ago.
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From alcohol to crisps, baked beans, dog treats and shampoo, the online bargain hunter said she has saved £7,209.14 in that time, compared to buying the items at full price.
Best before dates relate to the quality of the food item, while use-by dates are about food safety.
"You should not eat food past its use-by date, but you can eat food past its best-before date if it looks, smells and tastes fine," the European Food Information Council (EUFIC) advises.
The sells items beyond groceries, including cleaning products and cosmetics.
The shop also offers £1 lucky boxes, where you never know what is inside.
"In one of these, I got a very pricey Italian virgin olive oil, which would have cost me about £10," said Jane.
"I also once got a £99 eyebrow conditioner - I've never used an eyebrow conditioner in my life, but what a great deal," she said.
With the soaring price of energy bills, Jane said she is "scared" about what the winter could bring.
"I've only had the heating on twice. I am so scared I am going to end up with a huge bill," she said.
But she did caution that it was "easy to get carried away" with the addictive bargain hunting.
"I bought my husband some beer for £4 - he pointed out it was £3.75 in the supermarket," she said.
"So now I always have the Tesco website up at the same time to make sure I am getting a good deal."