Use By Vs Best Before

“Probably not…?” “No?” “Obviously Not!”

If any of the above is your response to the question, you are probably like many others, who confuse the ‘Best Before’ date with ‘Used By’ date.

“Don’t they mean the same thing?” Some might question.

There is, in fact, a slight difference between these two terms. It is actually a misconception that food past their ‘Best Before’ date is not suitable for consumption!

‘Used By’ dates are about SAFETY
‘Used By’ dates are often seen on perishable food, such as fresh produce (meat or vegetables). This date is of paramount importance as food is not suitable for consumption after this date. It is also vital to take note that for the ‘used by’ dates to be a valid guide, one needs to conscientiously follow storage instructions regarding the product either as illustrated on the packaging or online. For instance, for milk cartons, one has to store them in the fridge at 5°C or below after opening. Some food items do recommend a number of days after opening or purchasing for maximum freshness, such as milk products.

After the expiry date, one is not advised to cook or consume the food. This is because it is highly likely that the food would be unsafe to consume, even if it appears to be in an edible state or has been stored accordingly as advised.

‘Best Before’ dates are about QUALITY
‘Best Before’ dates are usually seen on dried, frozen and canned food items. These dates guarantee that certain properties of the food product would be of good quality up to the stated date. This only applies to unopened shelf-stable products, as for products that have been opened and sealed, they would have already been exposed to contamination! Even after the stated date, the food will be safe for consumption although it might not be the most appetising, as the quality of the food such as the flavour and texture might have been compromised. However, in order for the ‘Best Before’ date to hold true, it is imperative for one to store the food according to the instructions on the packaging.

CONCLUSION: The Rule of Thumb
Clearly, these misconceptions have had an implication on the health of the environment and nation, whereby most of the food that you could still safely consume, often end up in the bin.

All in all, it is highly recommended to exercise your own discretion when deciding to consume food beyond their ‘Used By’ or ‘Best Before’ dates! If the food seems to be different from its original state, or it has an unusual odour after opening, do take caution and not consume it! Ultimately, one’s five senses are indispensable when it comes to discerning whether food is suitable for consumption — see, smell, and pinch a little to taste before deciding!

If not, many packaged foods are actually safe to eat well past the best before date, as long as it looks okay and does not smell. Now that you are equipped with the knowledge, be a Food Sav(i)our! and debunk these misconceptions to your friends and families.

Encourage them to still consume these foods rather than simply throwing them away. Together, we can work towards reducing food wastage, with one less still-good best-before date product thrown away at a time.