Seimas allows the sale of food products labelled with ‘best before’ dates for a longer period

Press release, 23 November 2023 

The Seimas has adopted amendments to the Law on Food of the Republic of Lithuania, allowing to extend the minimum shelf-life of food products labelled with ‘best before’ date, thus making them marketable for longer. The amended Law will enter into force at the beginning of 2024.

The ‘best before’ date indicates the recommended shelf-life of a food product. According to the authors of the amendments, this means that food is often fit for consumption for longer periods than stated on the packaging. Additionally, this will be helpful in reducing food waste.

Under the amended Law, food retailers will be responsible for the safety and quality of these food products. Such food products shall be sold in accordance with the procedure laid down in the Retail Trade Rules approved by the Government of the Republic of Lithuania and with the recommendations approved by an institution authorised by the Government.

As previously announced by the Ministry of the Economy and Innovation, which initiated the amendments, the retailers will now be allowed to extend the shelf-life provided that the food product is packaged in the intact original packaging of the manufacturer and that the consumer is properly and clearly informed about the shelf-life of food and its safety. Labels of such food products will also have to include the original expiry date.

Under the new provisions, once the minimum durability date has expired, retailers will be prohibited from selling food supplements, infant formulae and other foods intended for infants, dietary foods for special medical purposes as well as total diet replacement products for weight control.

Amendments to the Law on Food (draft No XIVP-2890(3)) were adopted by 92 votes in favour, 6 votes against, and 14 abstentions.

Rimas Rudaitis, Adviser, Press Office, Information and Communication Department, tel. +370 5 239 6132, e-mail: [email protected]