When it comes to food labels, two of the most common terms you'll encounter are "use by" and "best before."
Although they sound similar, they refer to different things, and understanding what they mean can help you make better decisions about your food and reduce food waste.
So, what’s the difference between "use by" and "best before," and how should it impact how we store and consume our groceries?
What does “use by” mean?
The term "use by" indicates the last date on which the food is guaranteed to be safe to eat. After this date, the manufacturer cannot guarantee the safety or quality of the product.
It is typically used on perishable items like milk, meat, fish, or ready-to-eat meals where the use by date is crucial because consuming the product past this point could pose a risk to one's health and safety due to bacterial growth or spoilage.
Can I eat food past it’s use by date?
Products marked with a use by date should not be consumed after this date and can pose risks to your health and safety.
It is also important to note that you need to store the product as recommended by the manufacturer to ensure the product is still safe to use up until the use by date. Food that has passed the use by date are also illegal to sell and should be safely disposed of.
What does “best before” mean?
The term best before refers to the date when the food is likely to still be at its best quality in terms of flavour, texture, and nutritional value.
After the "best before" date, the product may begin to lose its desirable qualities and may not taste the way the supplier intends for it to taste. This date is typically found on foods with a longer shelf life like dry goods (pasta, rice), canned goods, or frozen products.
Can I eat food passed it’s best before date?
Products marked with a best before date may still be safe to consume after this date. These foods, as long as they’ve been stored correctly as per the instructions on the label, won’t spoil immediately after the date passes. Use your own judgement to determine if you should still eat food past the best before based on the quality of it.
For example, if the food doesn’t look or smell like what it’s supposed to it would be safer to avoid consuming it.
Navigating food labels with confidence
Understanding the difference between "use by" and "best before" dates is an important part of food safety and quality.
“Use by” is an indicator of safety and should food pass this date should not be consumed
“Best before” is an indicator of quality and may be still safe to consume based on your judgement
Using your food labels to reduce food waste
Next time you’re standing in front of your fridge or pantry, be sure to take a moment to check those labels. It’s a small habit that can lead to healthier, fresher meals – and maybe even a little less food waste along the way.