PEOPLE are gambling with their health by eating food well past its sell-by date.

Nearly one in 10 of us eat stale food rather than throwing it out and put ourselves at risk of life threatening food poisoning.

Older people are the worst offenders according to figures from the Food and Drink Federation. I wonder why?

Is it because they don't like waste or because they can't afford to be so choosy?

Use by dates are printed on highly perishable foods, such as dairy items and fresh meat, and these products can harbour the most viruent bacteria. A newly identified strain called campylobacter is the main soucre of bacterial gut infection.

Linkline, the Wigan and Leigh Pensioners' Link magazine, advises people to check dates carefully and look out for how long food can be kept once packaging has been opened.

The advise is always throw away fruit or veg that has started to rot and never eat food from rusty or damaged cans or leaking cartons.

Throw away perishable food that has been left out at room temperature for more than a couple of hours and all scraps.

The maxim should be "if in doubt, throw it out."