Best before vs use by

Spoiled foods are not always visibly apparent, and so many of us rely on the expiry dates that have been printed on their packets. But why do some packets say ‘best before’, while others give a ‘use by’ date? It’s important to know the difference between these two, because while one is there to prevent you from encountering an unpleasant taste, the other is printed for your health. Food that has passed its best-before date can still be safe to consume, but isn’t in its peak condition. Use-by dates are chosen for food that goes off quickly, such as meats and fish. You can eat the food up until the date printed, but when this date passes, you should throw it away. You shouldn’t eat food or drink with an expired use-by date, even if it looks and smells normal, as it could make you ill.