Consumer Protection | Food Labels, Health Products and Household Safety, Set 4

A use-by date indicates the date after which the food should no longer be eaten, whereas a best-before date indicates how long it should retain its quality. Both dates assume that the package is unopened and the stated storage instructions are followed. Passing a best-before date does not automatically make food inedible, while food should be consumed promptly after opening instead of treating the printed date as a safety guarantee.

For a prepackaged processed food, the ingredient list and allergen information on the current package are the basic sources to check. A familiar product name does not rule out changes to ingredients or production, so a previous uneventful purchase cannot establish safety this time. Some allergens are outside mandatory labeling and unintended cross-contact can occur, so the person's medical guidance also remains important.

When dining out, check current ingredients and what the restaurant can do at the time of the visit instead of relying only on online information. Shared frying oil or equipment can cause unintended cross-contact even when the allergen is not an ingredient in the dish. If the restaurant cannot provide the information or precautions the person needs, declining the dish is the safer choice, subject to the person's medical plan.

Testimonials and strong advertising claims do not establish a product's effectiveness or its safety for a particular person. Check evidence about the ingredients, the amount of each ingredient, directions and precautions, and the manufacturer and contact information on the label and in reliable sources. Price and popularity cannot supply missing information, so delaying the purchase until those details can be checked is appropriate.

Ingredients in a health product can affect the action of medication. Before use, show a doctor or pharmacist both the medication and the product's ingredients and amounts, and ask whether they may be combined. Do not stop prescribed medicine on your own. If use is approved, record the product, dose, start date and physical condition, and stop the health product and seek advice if problems occur.

If redness, itching or another skin problem occurs after using a cosmetic, stop using it immediately even if the product appears genuine. Consultation with a dermatologist is appropriate according to the severity of the symptoms. Retesting by changing the amount or body area can worsen the reaction, and a seller's characterization does not justify continuing despite symptoms.

A button battery can damage the digestive tract in a short time, so suspected ingestion requires immediate medical care without waiting for symptoms. Take the device or other information that can identify the battery's type, size and use, and give it to the clinician. Do not induce vomiting or give food or drink on your own; call emergency services first if there is impaired consciousness, breathing difficulty or another emergency sign.

Swelling is a sign of an abnormal lithium-ion battery. Stop using and charging it before smoke appears, and do not apply pressure or impact. Mixing it with ordinary waste can cause a fire during collection or processing, so consult the manufacturer's take-back guidance or the municipality's collection category. Flattening the battery or placing it in a food freezer is an improvised measure that can cause damage or introduce other hazards.

Mixing a chlorine-based cleaner with an acid such as citric acid can release hazardous chlorine gas. If an irritating odor or eye and throat pain occurs, leave immediately instead of attempting to neutralize the mixture inside, and seek medical advice after inhalation. Call emergency services for breathing difficulty or severe symptoms, and do not re-enter an unsafe area merely to ventilate it.

The number in the wash-tub symbol is the maximum washing temperature, not a recommended or minimum temperature. One horizontal line below the tub calls for a milder process than normal, so the item may be washed gently at no more than 40°C. A crossed-out wash tub is the separate symbol that prohibits domestic washing.