For meat lovers, our selection of cold meats is a carnivore's dream. From thinly sliced deli meats for sandwiches to flavourful sausages for grilling, we've got a variety that will satisfy your meaty cravings. What the label advises: Store at room temperature, away from heat and direct sunlight (Filippo Berio Extra Virgin Olive Oil)

risk cross-contamination. Putting your toast knife into the honey or dipping a sausage in the mayonnaise could introduce morsels of perishable foodstuffs that could shorten their shelf life. What the label advises: Once opened, keep refrigerated and use within six weeks (Sharwoods Green Label Mango Chutney) what the Food Standards Agency advises. Use common sense and sensory cues such as smell and taste to determine whether a food can be eaten beyond its 'best before' date. However, 'use by' dates should be strictly adhered to - no guesswork. Dr Schenker says: 'Sometimes people keep ketchup in the fridge, simply because they prefer a chilled taste, but otherwise it doesn't need to be refrigerated.' Brown sauce

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keep olive oil in clear bottles out on worktops. This is especially important if it's a sunny room. Instead, keep it in a cupboard or choose green-bottled brands, which will be more resistant to light degradation. What the experts say:Like Dijon mustard, this can be kept in the cupboard, thanks to preservatives including vinegar and lactic acid.

What the label advises:Once opened, keep refrigerated and consume within six weeks (Haywards Piccalilli)Although the suggestion is to keep it refrigerated, it can be safely kept in a cupboard in ambient conditions.

understand that 'use by' dates are about safety, while 'best before' relates to quality. An easy way to remember it is, 'Use by; say goodbye. Best before; eat some more.' What the experts say:This contains vinegar as one of the main ingredients, which helps to preserve it. What the label advises:After opening, keep refrigerated and use within three months (Maille Wholegrain Mustard) After soaking cucumbers and onions, pour out saltwater and rinse thoroughly with cold water and allow cucumbers to drain.What the experts say: Vinegar has an indefinite shelf life at room temperature, and can therefore be safely kept in a cupboard for years. What the label advises: Ensure the lid is closed and store in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight (Sarsons Malt Vinegar)