WHEN TO USE FOODS AFTER THEIR BEST BEFORE DATE

DATE labels on food packaging are a source of confusion and contention for many. In today’s day and age where we’re all trying to do our bit for the planet, throwing away food unnecessarily really pulls at the heartstrings – so I get trying to push the boundaries on date labels a little.

Truth is, however, there’s a very good reason packaged foods have date labels on them – and it’s wise to follow suit, at least some of the time. To set the record straight, here’s what you need to know about date labels.

Use-by v best before

You’ll find two kinds of date labels on food: best before or use-by. While they’re often used interchangeably, they mean two very different things

... so pay attention.

Use-by dates are there for your own safety and should be followed stringently. When food is past it’s useby date, it means there’s a risk that consuming it will make you sick. Even if you think there’s nothing wrong with the food in question (read: it looks fine, smells fine and that little nibble you had tasted fine), food poisoning bacteria can still be lurking. In Australia, it’s illegal to sell food past it’s use-by date.

Best before dates, on the other hand, are more concerned with quality and are far more flexible. Storing a food properly according to the instructions on the packet may mean it lasts even longer than the best-before date indicates.

Obviously, it’s important to use common-sense, but if a food shows no signs of spoilage and is past it’s best before date, it probably won’t harm you if you eat it – but the catch is that it might have deteriorated in taste, texture or nutritional quality.

10 common foods that should not be consumed after their use-by:

Fish

Prawns

Red meat

Poultry

Milk

Ready to eat salads

Ready made refrigerated meals Deli meats such as ham or salami Store-bought dips

Bagged salad leaves

10 foods that are OK to use after their best before date has been and gone:

Weet Bix Tomato sauce Eggs Frozen peas and corn

Peanut butter Tinned legumes Nuts Extra virgin olive oil Ricotta cheese

Fresh fruit and vegetables