While you were munching your way through your packet of Walkers, have you ever wondered why packets of crisps always seem to go out of date on a Saturday?
Although people rarely bother to check the expiration date on potato chips, all whole crisps always seem to expire on a Saturday.
This quirk has even been humorously acknowledged on a Facebook page, aptly named 'All Crisps Go Out of Date on a Saturday, FACT.'
The solution has intrigued numerous individuals to the point that it's even included in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section of the Walkers website. However, the explanation is actually quite ordinary.
They explain: "In the manufacturing sites we work on production weeks which start on a Sunday.
"All products produced in that week will have the same Best Before date.
"As the weekends on the Saturday, the Best Before date will always end on a Saturday."
Walkers also admitted that their 'best before' dates consistently align with Saturdays due to its production week starting on a Sunday.
As detailed on their website, the company clarifies: "With everything made that week having the same Best Before date. So when our recommended 12-week shelf life is up, the end date will therefore land on (you guessed it) - Saturday."
Given its 12-week shelf life, if you've recently obtained a packet, you'll have until the commencement of November to consume it. This doesn't seem like a particularly difficult goal to achieve.
In contrast, a 'use by' date refers to the safety of the food, rather than just the quality. You shouldn't eat food past its use-by date - even if it 'smells alright', because you might end up very sick and regretful later.
On the other hand, a 'use by' date pertains to the safety of the food rather than just its quality.
Therefore, you should not consume food beyond its use-by date, even if it appears to have a normal smell. Doing so could potentially pose a risk of illness and lead to regret later on.
