A recent investigation revealed Subway is closing stores, battling falling revenue and facing claims of staff underpayment. Loading A spokesperson for Subway said the franchise had an "unwavering commitment" to delivering customers high-quality fresh food. "Best before dates are occasionally extended by food manufacturers, in accordance with food regulations, where microbiological testing confirms product safety and zero risk to public health," the spokesperson said. "This is commonplace across the food sector." The spokesperson said food was tested twice daily in Subway stores and they are frequently audited.

"Food safety is paramount and our rigorous handling, storage and preparation practices exceed industry regulations," she said. Subway sent a letter to its franchisees in March which advised of a three-month extension to the shelf life of blue cheese dressing, buffalo sauce, cranberry sauce, habanero sauce and pesto mayo manufactured by Grifm Culinary. The extension was approved by the manufacturer. "Micro testing for accelerated testing show results within specification," the letter from Grifn Culinary stated. Subway franchisees have been instructed to ignore best before dates. Credit:Wayne Taylor In July, Subway followed it up with advice that franchisees could also apply an extension to the initial nine-month shelf life of rye bread topping and herb seasoning manufactured by Hela Spice Australia. The best before date on those products was extended by a further six months.

"The company has assessed shelf life samples of [rye bread topping[ for flavour, aroma, colour, texture and microbiology," the letter from Hela stated. "To the best of our knowledge and based on our assessment results and historical data, we can conclude that the batches of [rye bread topping] are still within specification and should meet customer expectations. The new best before dates supersede any best before dates on the original labels." Subway instructed franchisees to keep copies of the letters in their stores in case of food safety inspections. If it was at my house I might turn a blind eye if it was a week old. Subway franchisee "These letters need to be kept accessible, in restaurant, to show any Local Health Authorities if required," the letter said. "They clearly state that 'the product is food safe'." The Subway franchisee who leaked the letters said he was concerned by the shelf life extensions which showed the financial pressure Subway is under.

"I am worried that they are extending it so they won't have a backlash, by extending it they are trying to buy more time in the hope we will get rid of it," he said. "If it was at my house I might turn a blind eye if it was a week old." Loading Subway's extension of best before dates follows an investigation by The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age into bakery franchise Michel's Patisserie which sold batches of chocolate cakes, birthday cakes and edible decorations to customers months after their use-by date. Use-by dates are subject to more stringent standards than best before dates. A spokesperson for Food Safety Australia pointed to its guidance which states food can still be eaten for a while after its best before date as it should be safe, but it may have lost some quality.

"Foods that have a best before date can legally be sold after that date provided the food is fit for human consumption," the guidance stated. Loading Geoff Gordon, director of Hela Spice Australia, said the food manufacturer approved the extension and took any customer request for shelf life extensions very seriously. It has in place a rigorous and thorough set of procedures to determine the applicability of each product shelf life extension. "Shelf life extension requests from industry do occur from time to time, and are investigated on a product and batch by batch basis," he said. "We were confident to grant an extension without compromise to product quality and consumer food safety." Grifm Culinary also approved the extension and a spokesperson said he was unable to comment on Subway but all products and materials provided to its customers complied with the Food Standards Code.