Food

What is the difference between 'best before' and 'use by'?

We regularly receive questions about the durability dates on the label of a pre-packaged product. The manufacturer is required to place a durability date on every food product. A distinction is made between 'best before (BB)' and 'use by (UB)'.

When do I use 'UB' and when 'BB'? Is a durability date always mandatory? And what about stating time and temperature?

The rules concerning the presence of the controversial substance ethylene oxide in additives were tightened on 1 September 2022.
Why is this substance controversial?
What is the reason for this revision?
And what does the stricter regulation look like?
Find out in this blog.

Since December 2020, a new EU directive has strengthened the quality and accessibility of drinking water. Discover the key changes.

Following the publication of version 2.7 of the circular on rapid tests and microbiological inhibitor tests for detecting inhibitors in raw milk for use in self-checking in December 2021, the FASFC published a new version in early summer 2022 that applies with immediate effect. This is in contrast to the previous version, which had a transition period until 01/07/2023.

The horsemeat scandal that hit Europe in 2013 or the fipronil crisis in 2017. These are just two examples that illustrate the growing threat of food fraud.
What is food fraud exactly? What types exist? And how does the GFSI want to curb it?
Find out here.

Salmonella in chocolate has been a hot topic for several months. Following the outbreak at the Ferrero factory in Arlon, Barry Callebaut has also blocked products due to salmonella contamination.

On 15 December 2021, the FASFC published a circular on rapid tests and microbiological inhibitor tests for detecting antibiotic residues in raw milk. It contains several changes that took effect from 01/07/2023.