A company spokesman declined to offer new guidance about the size of its expected loss.

Furthermore, new operational guidance has been issued to staff who deal with these cases.

The new guidance, to be published in the next few weeks, will make it clear that 'best before' is simply a guide to food quality.

The Act will be implemented three months after publication of the new guidance.

It is intended to give new guidance to the Pentagon that will affect spending.

Business groups and state officials said their operations could become hobbled if the agency's new guidance was left in place.

Its share price fell 3.29 percent today, to $23.79, on fears that the new guidance would be gloomy.

Implement new standard guidance on Government travel policies, bringing them in line with industry best practice, to save £100 million per year.

These are being incorporated in the new permanent guidance as appropriate.

A leading lawyer who has seen the new guidance said: "A lot of what is in there will be welcomed by business.