Approved Food – UK Foods and Drinks Review

Food & Drink

Approved Food is the UK’s largest online retailer of clearance food and drink—plus household, beauty, pet products, alcohol, drinks, and supplements—operating from its fulfilment centre in Dodworth, South Yorkshire .

What is Approved Food?

Founded in 2009 by Dan Cluderay, a former engineer turned market trader, aiming to help reduce food waste. The company considers best-before allowances and surplus stock from retailers.
It retails products that are near or past their best-before date, including those from cancelled orders or with packaging changes—allowing buyers to save big while reducing waste.
In recent years, it has expanded into beauty, pet care, supplements, and alcohol, offering a broader surplus inventory.

Business Growth & Social Impact

Approved Food operates out of a 60,000 sq ft warehouse, employing over 50 staff as of 2015, and later moving into a larger facility in Barnsley for further expansion.
It’s the UK’s largest specialist in short-dated and residual stock—armed with a UK-wide (and some international) reach across many product categories.
The company campaigns actively for better public awareness of best-before vs use-by dates, helping cut food waste and promote sustainable consumption.
It gained media attention from appearances on Dragons’ Den, Virgin Media Pitch to Rich, and BBC’s “Bargain Fever Britain”.

What to Expect on the Website

Over 12,000 products are available at any time, with steep discounts on food, drink, and non-food goods.
Regular promotions include “5 for £1” offers, surprise “lucky boxes” (approx. £1 each), and discounts on branded beauty items like GHD and Elemis.
Items span diverse categories: savory snacks, baking goods, toiletries, alcohol, and even supplements, all available at heavy savings .

Customer Experience

Positive Reviews:

Many users love the eco-conscious mission and bargain prices: “They not only help save our planet from unnecessary waste but save me a small fortune.”
“Wonderful to be in receipt of such great customer service… I love opportunities shopping in this way”
Reddit comments praise its dry goods bargains, calling it worth a look.

Caveats:

Some consumers report delivery issues, such as delays or unreliable carriers, and packaging damage .
A minority raise safety concerns when products arrive well past best‑before, particularly worrying for vulnerable consumers.
Trustpilot gives Approved Food a 4.0/5 score (68% 5-star), while other platforms show more mixed reviews.

Value & Cost Savings

Users report typical savings of 50–70% compared to supermarket prices.
One featured shopper claims: “I save ~£2,500 a year on food bills… switched from £120 shop to £50 shop by using Approved Food.”
Great deals on supplements, drinks, toiletries, and beauty items—provided you stay informed about dates and delivery thresholds .

Final Verdict

Approved Food is ideal for:

Budget-conscious shoppers.
Eco-minded customers who want to reduce food waste.
Explorers of discount beauty and household goods.

Be cautious of:

Product dates—understand best-before vs use-by.
Delivery reliability—occasionally reported as inconsistent.
Packaging—some customers have received damaged parcels.

Best Tips for Shoppers

Compare prices with supermarkets (e.g., Tesco) to confirm savings.
Understand date labelling—best-before isn’t a safety expiration.
Order in bulk to minimise delivery costs—free shipping often requires £55+ orders.
Watch out for returns packaging requests before refunds for mis-sent or expired products .

Summary

Approved Food has carved a unique niche in the UK’s online grocery landscape—offering unbeatable discounts on surplus and near-date items, while championing sustainability and food-waste awareness. With a generous product mix—including supplements, beauty, and alcohol—the site is a treasure trove for thrifty shoppers who buy smart and understand date labeling. However, users should manage expectations around delivery and packaging quality.

If you’re intrigued by bargains and don’t mind being flexible on product dates, Approved Food is worth exploring—but go in informed for best results. Click here to visit their site.