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Don't Waste Food: Understanding 'Best Before' vs. 'Use By' Dates
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News18•23-09-2026, 11:48
Don't Waste Food: Understanding 'Best Before' vs. 'Use By' Dates
- •'Use By' and 'Best Before' dates on food packaging are not the same and have different meanings.
- •The 'Use By' date indicates when food is safe to eat if stored correctly, but can sometimes be consumed cautiously slightly after.
- •The 'Best Before' date signifies when food is at its peak taste, texture, and nutritional value; it can often be eaten safely after this date.
- •According to the Canadian Institute of Food Safety, 'Expiry Date' and 'Best Before' are distinct.
- •An 'Expiry Date' is mandatory for certain foods, indicating a decline in nutritional value after that date.
Key Questions Answered
The 'Use By' date indicates that food is safe to consume until that specific date if stored properly, whereas 'Best Before' refers to the period during which food maintains its peak taste, texture, and nutritional value.
Yes, many foods can still be eaten after the 'Best Before' date if the packaging, smell, and texture are fine, though there may be some changes in taste and nutritional quality.
No, they are different; it is mandatory to mention an Expiry Date for certain foods with specific nutritional values, and exceeding it means those specified nutritional values decrease.
