Food labelling in focus: a transnational analysis of chilled ready-to-eat products in the EU, the Western Balkans and Turkey.

Food contamination may occur within the complete food chain, with domestic handling and inadequate storage often contributing to foodborne illness. Therefore, accurate food safety information on packaging, including date labels and storage instructions, is essential. However, cross-national comparisons of labelling practices for chilled ready-to-eat (RTE) foods remain limited. This study examined and compared labelling practices in six European Union (EU) countries and four non-EU countries, focusing on date labels, recommended storage temperatures, and secondary shelf life. Data from 2665 food labels were collected between May and September 2023 through in-store observations and online resources. Most labels indicated either a "Use by" or "Best before" date, reflecting microbiological and quality stability. Cluster analysis identified two groups: Cluster 1, mainly from Portugal and Spain, included more stable products with "Best before" dates, whereas Cluster 2, dominated by French and Turkish labels, comprised more perishable foods with "Use by" dates. Recommended storage temperatures varied from +4 °C to +12 °C, indicating potential consumer confusion.