Decoding food dates: The key difference between quality and safety
Many consumers are confused by date labels on food, often equating 'Best before' with 'Use-by' and throwing away perfectly edible products. This misunderstanding contributes significantly to household food waste. The fundamental difference is simple: a 'Best before' date relates to quality, while a 'Use-by' date concerns safety.
Best before: Quality, not safety
A food's 'Best before' (or 'BBE') date indicates the period during which the product is expected to remain in its best condition, assuming correct storage. After this date, the food may start to lose its ideal flavour, texture, aroma, or nutritional value, but it is generally still safe to eat. Manufacturers determine these dates based on product testing and stability assessments. It is perfectly legal for retailers to sell items past their 'Best before' date, provided the food is still fit for human consumption. This commonly applies to more stable, non-perishable goods like dried pasta, rice, tinned foods, and frozen products.
Use-by: Safety is paramount
In stark contrast, a 'Use-by' date is a critical food safety indicator. This date is found on highly perishable items that could pose a health risk if consumed after the specified day, even if they look and smell fine. Examples include chilled ready meals, fresh meat, fish, and dairy products. It is illegal to sell or consume food after its 'Use-by' date has passed. Proper storage is also essential for these products to remain safe up to the given date.
Practical steps for managing best before dates
To navigate date labels effectively and reduce waste, consider these steps:
- Trust your senses: For foods past their 'Best before' date, rely on sight, smell, and taste to determine if they are still good. Look for mould, smell for sourness, and taste a small amount to check for staleness.
- Organize your pantry: Use a 'first in, first out' system, bringing older items to the front. This simple stock rotation helps ensure you use products before their optimal quality declines.
- Understand storage conditions: 'Best before' dates are only accurate if the food is stored as instructed. A pack of biscuits stored in a damp place will go stale faster than one kept in a cool, dry cupboard, regardless of the date.
- Freeze for longevity: Many items with a 'Best before' date, such as bread or frozen vegetables, can have their quality extended significantly by freezing. Label and date frozen items to keep track of their freshness.
How to tell if food is still good: A sensory guide
- Dry goods (pasta, rice, cereals): These can last for years past their 'Best before' date if stored in a cool, dry place. Discard if you see signs of insects or mould.
- Canned foods: Extremely shelf-stable, canned goods can last for decades. Avoid cans with bulging, leaking, or deep dents.
- Frozen foods: Quality may degrade over time, leading to 'freezer burn,' but the food remains safe indefinitely if stored continuously at or below -18°C.
Best before vs. use-by: A comparison table
| Feature | Best Before | Use By |
|---|---|---|
| Indicates | Food quality (flavour, texture, aroma) | Food safety (health risk potential) |
| Legality | Legal to sell after this date, if still fit for consumption | Illegal to sell or consume after this date |
| Food Type | Stable, longer-life products (cans, dry goods, frozen) | Highly perishable products (fresh meat, ready salads, dairy) |
| Consumer Action | Use your senses to check quality; eat past the date if okay | Never eat past this date, even if it looks fine |
| Sensory Check | Recommended and generally reliable | Unreliable and dangerous; cannot detect harmful bacteria |
Legal context and manufacturer responsibility
In many jurisdictions, manufacturers are responsible for determining the appropriate date label for their products. They must consider factors like the food's composition, processing method, and storage conditions. In the US, for example, the FDA and USDA encourage the voluntary use of “Best if Used By,” a quality-based label, to provide clarity for consumers. However, specific foods like infant formula are legally required to carry a 'Use-by' date to ensure nutritional stability. Regulations around date labelling aim to strike a balance between consumer safety and reducing the massive problem of food waste. Love Food Hate Waste Canada offers great resources on this topic.
Conclusion: Empowering your food decisions
Mastering the rules for 'Best before' dates is about more than just reading labels—it's about making smart, informed decisions that benefit your wallet and the planet. By recognizing the critical difference between quality and safety dates, relying on sensory checks for appropriate items, and following proper storage guidance, you can confidently reduce your household food waste. Always prioritize the 'Use-by' date for safety, but for 'Best before' products, remember that your senses are the best judge of quality. This knowledge empowers you to be a more discerning and responsible consumer, ensuring you get the most out of your groceries while contributing to a more sustainable food system.
