Experts have highlighted “risky kitchen behaviours” that could be putting Brits’ health at risk, after a survey found many would rely on the “sniff test” to decide whether food is safe to eat. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) advises that sensory clues can be helpful in deciding whether foods with a best before date can still be safely eaten.

But it says that smelling food is not an appropriate test for products with a use-by date, as they may smell fine despite harbouring bugs that could cause food poisoning. The FSA’s latest consumer survey, known as Food and You 2, found that 76% of people would rely on the sniff test to assess whether raw meat is safe to eat or cook with.

Some 73% said they would use it for milk and yoghurt, while 65% said they would use it for fish.

FSA chief executive Katie Pettifer said: “There are around 2.4 million recorded cases of foodborne illness in the UK every year, but by following the FSA’s food hygiene advice on cooking, cleaning, chilling and cross-contamination, you can reduce the risk of you or your family becoming unwell. 

“Food and You 2 provides us, and the wider government, with important insights into what people think and do when it comes to food. 

“We will continue to use this data in our work to protect public health and consumers’ wider interests in relation to food."

The report also found that 72% of respondents would eat bagged salad, and 70% cheese, after the use-by date. And around six-in-ten respondents would eat yoghurt (63%), milk (60%), or cooked meats (58%) after the use-by date. 

Four in 10 people also said they wash raw fish or seafood (40%) or raw chicken (38%), at least occasionally, when preparing it.

However, this is not recommended because it can splash harmful bacteria onto your hands, work surfaces, equipment and other foods.

The survey involved 5,535 adults from 3,908 households across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, who were questioned about their food habits between April and July 2024.