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Grocery: your questions answered

How do I read dates on US food packaging?
US dates are usually written month first, so 04/10/27 means 10 April 2027, not 4 October. Many packs say 'Best by' or 'Best if used by', which is the equivalent of best before and relates to quality rather than safety. Store foods as the label directs, and check the date when you open a product, especially if you're used to UK date formats.
How do I convert US cups and ounces?
US recipes and packs often use cups, tablespoons and ounces. A US cup is about 240 ml, slightly smaller than a metric cup of 250 ml. Dry weights in ounces convert at about 28 g per ounce, and a US fluid ounce is around 29.6 ml, a little more than a UK fluid ounce. US cake and pancake mixes from brands such as Betty Crocker are written for US cups, so a set of measuring cups is handy.
How are allergens shown on US food labels?
US packs list ingredients and usually include a 'Contains' statement naming major allergens such as milk, eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish and sesame. UK labels highlight 14 allergens in bold within the ingredients list, and the two lists differ: celery, mustard, lupin and molluscs aren't part of the US list. If you have an allergy, read the full ingredients carefully.
Why do American sweets and snacks taste different?
Recipes are often developed for US tastes, so American sweets can be sweeter, chocolate may have a tangier note, and savoury snacks lean into bold seasonings like ranch, dill pickle and Cajun spice. Some use colourings or ingredients that differ from UK versions of similar products, so check the ingredients list if you avoid certain additives. Many people buy them for nostalgia or a taste of a US trip.