Best Before vs Expiry Date: What Do They Really Mean?

Decoding best before vs expiry dates, and understanding use by label on food products

By Sanjoli Arora

Did you know that millions of tonnes of food are wasted each year due to confusion over date labels? If you’ve ever stared at a “best before” date wondering if your food is still safe to eat, you’re not alone.

In this blog, we’ll unravel the meanings behind “best before”, “use by”, and “expiry” dates, so you can make informed choices, reduce food waste, and run a low-waste kitchen.

Read on to become an expert on food shelf life!

Understanding Food Shelf Life

Ever stood in front of your fridge, eyeing that yoghurt pot, wondering if it’s still good to eat? 

Food shelf life is the period during which food remains safe to consume and retains its optimal taste and quality. 

It’s not just a date stamped on packaging; it’s a guide to help you enjoy food at its best while keeping you safe from potential health risks.

Why Food Shelf Life Matters

Understanding food shelf life is more important than you might think. Firstly, it ensures food safety and helps prevent illness. Consuming food within its recommended shelf life reduces the risk of food poisoning caused by harmful bacteria that can develop over time.

Maintaining food quality and taste is another key reason. Fresh food not only tastes better but also retains its nutritional value. Who doesn’t prefer crisp vegetables and juicy fruits over their wilted counterparts?

Misunderstood labels contribute significantly to food waste. Confusion over “best before” and “use by” dates can cause food getting discarded. That’s a lot of perfectly edible food ending up in the bin due to misinterpretation of labels.

Factors Affecting Food Shelf Life

Several factors can affect how long your food stays fresh. 

1. Storage conditions are paramount. 
2. Temperature plays a significant role; perishable items need to be kept cold to slow down bacterial growth. Humidity can lead to mould, while too much light can degrade certain foods, affecting both their safety and nutritional value.
3. The integrity of packaging is also important. Damaged or improperly sealed packaging can expose food to air and contaminants, accelerating spoilage. Always check that seals are intact when purchasing and storing food.

When you’re unsure about an item’s freshness, it’s wise to trust your senses. Look out for signs of spoilage like unusual odours, discolouration, or a change in texture. If something doesn’t smell right or looks off, it’s safer to dispose of it.

Food Shelf Life & Impact on Health and Safety

Ignoring food shelf life can have serious health implications. Consuming expired food increases the risk of foodborne illnesses like salmonella or listeria. These can cause symptoms ranging from mild discomfort to severe illness requiring medical attention.

Proper food storage is crucial in extending shelf life and ensuring safety. Storing food at the correct temperature, keeping it sealed, and protecting it from light and humidity can significantly reduce the risk of spoilage. Simple steps like refrigerating perishables promptly and keeping dry goods in airtight containers make a big difference.

There’s also a financial aspect to consider. Throwing away food that spoils before you can eat it is like tossing money straight into the bin. By being mindful of shelf life and storage, you not only protect your health but also save money by reducing waste.

Decoding Date Labels: Best Before vs Expiry Date & Use By

Finding and reading date labels correctly is essential. Typically, these labels are printed on the packaging’s side, bottom, or lid. 

Date labels are added to help you make informed choices about the freshness and safety of the food you buy. They act as a guide to ensure you’re consuming products at their best.

Look for phrases like “best before,” “use by,” or “expiry date.” Understanding these terms can help you avoid unnecessary waste and keep you safe from potential health risks.

Let’s break down what each of these means.

What Is a ‘Best Before’ Date?

A “best before” date indicates the period during which the food will remain at its optimal quality. It’s about peak freshness, flavour, and texture, not safety. 

Does the food become unsafe after best before date?

Generally, no. Foods with a “best before” date are usually safe to eat beyond that point, provided they’ve been stored correctly and the packaging is unopened. However, use your senses—if something looks or smells off, it’s best to discard it.

Examples of products with “best before” dates:

• Canned goods
• Dry pasta and rice
• Chocolate and confectionery
• Snack foods like crisps and biscuits

What Is an ‘Expiry Date’?

An “expiry date” is more about safety than quality. It signifies the last day the manufacturer guarantees the product is safe to consume. After this date, the food may not be safe due to potential bacterial growth or chemical changes.

The difference between “expiry” and “best before” dates lies in safety versus quality. While “best before” focuses on when the product is at its best, “expiry” tells you when it might become harmful.

Product categories commonly featuring expiry dates are:

• Baby formula and infant foods
• Nutritional supplements
• Certain dairy products
• Medications and over-the-counter remedies

Understanding ‘Use By’ Dates

“Use by” dates are critical for foods that spoil quickly and pose a health risk if consumed after the date has passed. This label tells you the last day the product is considered safe to eat.

Foods that typically have “use by” dates include:

• Fresh meats and poultry
• Fish and seafood
• Dairy products like milk and soft cheeses
• Prepared salads and ready-to-eat meals

Safety concerns associated with “use by” dates are significant. Eating these foods after the date can lead to food poisoning, even if they look and smell fine. Always follow storage instructions, such as keeping items refrigerated, to ensure they remain safe up to the “use by” date.

Use by vs Expiry Date

Use by & expiry may sometimes be used synonymously. The key difference lies in the types of products they are used for and the legal regulations surrounding them. 

While “use by” dates are typically applied to perishable foods that can spoil quickly, “expiry dates” are used for items where consuming them past a certain point could pose specific health risks or reduce effectiveness.

Food Date Labels in India

Manufacturers solely adding the best before date of food packets left room for assumptions causing lots of food getting disposed and huge financial losses. 

To remove these ambiguities, The Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations (2020) has made it essential to declare manufacturing date, expiry/use by date while optionally adding best before date.

The regulation also dictates that any special conditions for the storage of the food shall be declared on the label if the validity of the date depends thereon. If required, storage conditions after opening the pack may also be specified.

Best Before vs Expiry Date: What’s the Difference?

Standing in front of your pantry, you might have wondered whether that tin of beans is still good after its “best before” date. Understanding the difference between “best before” and “expiry date” is crucial for both your safety and reducing unnecessary food waste.

The key difference lies in what these dates indicate:

• Best Before Date: This date is about quality, not safety. It suggests when the product will be at its peak in terms of flavour, texture, and freshness. Consuming it after this date is generally safe, but the food might not taste as good as it should.
• Expiry Date: This is a safety indicator. It tells you the last day the product is safe to consume. Eating food past its expiry date can pose health risks due to the potential growth of harmful bacteria or loss of nutritional value.

Best Before vs Expiry Date: Common Misconceptions

It’s easy to see why these terms are often confused. Both involve dates and concern the usability of food products. However, mistaking one for the other can lead to either unnecessary waste or potential health risks.

A common misconception is that food is unsafe immediately after the “best before” date, leading people to throw away perfectly good products. Conversely, some believe that “expiry dates” are merely suggestions, which can be dangerous.

Real-life scenarios highlight these differences:

• Scenario 1: You find a packet of pasta that’s a month past its “best before” date. The pasta is dry, well-sealed, and shows no signs of spoilage. In this case, it’s likely still good to use, though the quality might not be optimal.
• Scenario 2: You come across a yogurt that’s a week past its “expiry date.” Even if it looks and smells fine, consuming it could be risky due to bacterial growth that isn’t always detectable.

Understanding these nuances helps you make better decisions about what to keep and what to discard.

How These Food Label Dates Affect Consumption?

Manufacturers put these dates on products for a reason. They conduct rigorous testing to determine how long their products remain safe and of high quality.

Manufacturer recommendations are clear:

• Always follow storage instructions to ensure the product remains safe up to the indicated date.
• For “best before” items, they suggest consuming the product before the date for the best experience but acknowledge that it might still be acceptable afterwards.
• For “expiry date” items, they strongly advise against consuming the product past the date to avoid health risks.

Being informed about these labels allows you to enjoy your food safely and reduce unnecessary waste. Remember, when it comes to “best before,” think quality. For “expiry dates,” think safety.

The Impact of Misunderstanding Date Labels

Misinterpreting or ignoring date labels on food packaging can lead to a cascade of negative consequences. From unnecessary financial strain to potential health hazards and environmental damage, the importance of correctly understanding these labels cannot be overstated. Let’s delve into how these misunderstandings affect various aspects of our lives.

Economic Impact on Households

Throwing away food not only wastes resources but also directly impacts your wallet.

Households often discard food prematurely due to confusion over date labels. This unnecessary waste can add up to hundreds of rupees annually for a single family. Imagine buying groceries only to toss a significant portion straight into the bin—that’s money lost without any benefit.

By accurately interpreting best before vs expiry date or use by, you can significantly reduce food waste. This means getting the full value of what you purchase and stretching your food budget further. Simple awareness can lead to substantial savings over time.

Health Risks of Ignoring Best Before vs Expiry Dates

Your health is directly linked to the freshness and safety of the food you consume.

Consuming food past its “expiry” or “use by” date increases the risk of food poisoning. Harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria can grow in expired foods, leading to serious illness that may require medical attention.

Safety dates are established based on scientific testing to ensure food remains safe up to that point. Ignoring these dates compromises your health. Always prioritise “use by” and “expiry” dates to protect yourself and your family from potential health risks.

Environmental Consequences of Food Waste

Food waste has a significant environmental footprint that extends beyond your household. When food is discarded, all the resources used in its production – water, energy, and labour- are wasted.

Decomposing food in landfills produces methane, a greenhouse gas far more potent than carbon dioxide, contributing to climate change. Excessive food waste also burdens waste disposal infrastructure.

More waste means increased collection frequency, higher operational costs, and a greater need for landfill space, all of which have environmental and economic implications.

Tips for Managing Food Shelf Life at Home

Taking proactive steps can help you maximise your food’s shelf life, save money, and reduce your environmental impact.

Related Reading: 7 Creative Hacks to Reduce Food Waste at Home

• Proper Food Storage Practices: Store perishable items promptly in the refrigerator or freezer. Keep your fridge temperature below 5°C to slow bacterial growth. Use airtight containers to maintain freshness and prevent cross-contamination.
• Planning Meals to Reduce Waste: Before shopping, plan your meals for the week. Create a shopping list based on what you already have and what you need to buy. This approach helps you purchase only what you’ll use, minimising the chance of food going unused.
• Regularly Checking Your Food Supplies: Make it a habit to check your pantry and refrigerator regularly. Organise items so those with the earliest dates are at the front – a “first in, first out” system. This ensures older items are used before they pass their date labels.
• Adopting Low-Waste Practices at Home: Get creative with leftovers by incorporating them into new meals. Consider composting organic waste to reduce the amount sent to landfills. Small changes in your daily routine can lead to significant reductions in food waste.

Understanding the nuances between best before vs expiry date labels is essential for responsible consumption. By being mindful of these labels, you not only safeguard your health but also contribute to economic savings and environmental conservation.

We encourage you to share this knowledge with friends and family, fostering a community of informed consumers. Implementing these tips in your daily life can make a significant difference. Stay curious, stay informed, and together let’s promote a culture of conscious consumption and food safety awareness.

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Sanjoli is currently the Website & SEO Analyst at Simpplr and was previously steering the marketing ship at Quattr. She has a Master’s degree in Fashion Journalism and has contributed to publications like MensXP, Mindless Mag and Sustain: The Mag in the past. Conscious Charcha is her way of learning more about sustainability and spreading the word about a sustainable lifestyle.

Best Before vs Expire Date FAQs