At‑a‑Glance
Every year, UK businesses generate thousands of tonnes of edible food and drink that miss the primary sales window, yet remain perfectly safe after the best‑before date. By liquidating this stock through Refresh Surplus, suppliers unlock cash, meet sustainability targets, and reach value‑driven shoppers who would not normally encounter their brand, all without breaching food‑safety law.
1. What Counts as Food & Drink Surplus?
Food or beverages that are either in‑date or past their best‑before (BBE) but still before the use‑by date fall squarely under the surplus umbrella. Best‑before relates to quality, not safety, so products can be legally sold or donated after this point if they remain in good condition. Typical surplus triggers include:
- Short‑dated SKUs nearing BBE due to over‑forecasting.
- Promotional change‑overs where old artwork or barcodes must be cleared.
- Seasonal or limited‑edition ranges post‑event.
- Retail returns or delistings that come back palletised.
2. The Legal Line – Best‑Before vs Use‑By
| Label | Meaning | Can it be sold after date? | Key UK rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best‑before / BBE | Quality indicator | Yes, if food is still of acceptable quality and clearly dated | Food Safety Act allows sale after BBE provided quality is satisfactory. (caerphilly.gov.uk, bromley.gov.uk) |
| Use‑by | Safety limit | No – illegal to sell after the date | Food labelled with a use‑by must not be sold, given away or used beyond this date. (food.gov.uk) |
Refresh Surplus only purchases stock that is within use‑by. Anything beyond this point requires alternative disposal – see Section 5.
3. Best Method: Sell Directly to Refresh Surplus
We buy entire loads, pay upfront and discreetly redistribute through vetted discount channels and online apps.
How You Benefit
- Immediate cash release and warehouse space back within days.
- Controlled channels – goods flow to value outlets and online flash‑sale partners, protecting your full‑price listings.
- New marketing reach – budget‑minded and sustainability‑minded consumers discover your brand at lower price points, seeding future loyalty.
- Sustainability credentials – divert edible stock from waste and report tonnage saved for CSR metrics.
Fast Three‑Step Process
- Submit your list via our Seller Form.
- Receive a valuation in under 24 hours.
- Collection & payment– we handle chilled, frozen or ambient logistics across the UK & EU.
Ready to clear stock? Start here
4. Alternative Redistribution Routes
| Channel | Suitable For | Pros | Watch‑outs |
| Charity redistribution (FareShare, food banks) | Ambient & chilled surplus still within use‑by | CSR boost, potential waste‑handling savings | Donation transport & admin; volumes may be capped. |
| Consumer food‑waste apps (e.g. Too Good To Go) | Food‑service packs or retail singles near BBE | Direct consumer marketing, sustainability halo | Small order sizes; labour to prepare ‘surprise bags’. |
| Staff sales / factory shop | Small leftover batches | Morale boost, minimal transport | Limited volume; record‑keeping required |
If none of the above fit, Refresh Surplus can still broker a blended route combining multiple channels for maximum recovery.
5. What About Expired (Post Use‑By) Stock?
Once a product is past its use‑by, it is classified as ‘unfit for human consumption’ and cannot legally be sold or donated in the UK. Options include:
- Animal feed processing – certain bakery, dairy and confectionery products can be processed into safe livestock feed under APHA rules; often cost‑neutral. (mobius.uk.com)
- Anaerobic digestion (AD) – converts food waste into biogas and fertiliser, delivering carbon savings vs landfill. (commercialwastequotes.co.uk)
- Energy‑from‑waste / composting – final resorts if AD capacity or feed routes aren’t viable.
Refresh Surplus partners with accredited AD operators and feed blenders to arrange turnkey disposal, keeping you compliant and sustainable.
6. Compliance & Quality Checklist
- Date‑code audit – verify BBE and use‑by status before submission.
- Traceability records – retain batch codes and allergy info for all lots.
- Temperature logs (if required) – chilled and frozen goods must show maintained cold‑chain.
- Packaging integrity – no leaks or severe dents.
Our sales team provides simple templates to capture these details upfront.
7. Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a minimum or maximum load size?
From mixed‑pallet trial runs to full artic loads – just let us know quantities.
Will customers know the stock is short‑dated?
Yes – clear labelling and price points make value transparent while emphasising sustainability.
How soon will I be paid?
We pay before goods leave site once paperwork is signed.
8. Next Steps
- Gather your manifest: SKU, quantity, BBE/use‑by.
- Submit via Seller Form.
- Approve our offer, schedule collection, receive funds in days.
Questions? Call +44 (0)20 1234 5678 or email [email protected].
