Food safety guidance
Keeping shared food safe for everyone
Date labels
Use-by dates are about safety. Food should not be eaten after this date. We do not allow listings of food past its use-by date.
Best-before dates are about quality. Food is often perfectly safe to eat after this date, though its flavour or texture may have changed.
What can be shared
✅ Unopened packaged groceries within date
✅ Fresh fruit and vegetables
✅ Bread and bakery items
✅ Dairy and eggs (within date, properly stored)
✅ Frozen food (still frozen)
❌ Homemade cooked meals (not yet supported)
❌ Hot food or high-risk chilled prepared food
❌ Food past its use-by date
❌ Food without clear origin or storage history
Allergen information
The UK recognises 14 major allergens. When sharing food, always list any allergens you're aware of. If you're unsure, it's better to say so than to guess. People collecting food should always ask about allergens if the information isn't clear.
Reporting concerns
If you see a listing that looks unsafe, misleading or inappropriate, please report it using the report button on the listing page. Our team reviews reports promptly.
Important: This guidance is for information purposes and does not constitute professional food safety advice. These pages require professional review before launch. For official UK food safety guidance, please refer to the Food Standards Agency.