Shelf life for retail packs of meat in the UK could be extended from the current 10 days to 21 days or more following industry-led research.

This demonstrates that beef can be extended to 23 days for beef, 27 days for lamb and 18 days for pork.

If the Food Standards Agency in the UK extends the limit, industry says that this would help achieve a reduction in food waste.

A longer shelf life for meat in the UK would also make it a more commercially viable market for Australian and South American fresh meat exports.