Best Before Date Meaning? Can You Eat Food Past This Date?

Best Before Date Meaning? Can You Eat Food Past This Date?

Have you ever found something in your kitchen cupboard that’s past its best before date and wondered if it’s still safe to eat? You’re definitely not alone, and we’ve got all the info you need right here.

Let’s break down what those best before dates really mean and whether it’s okay to still eat the food once that date has passed.

Key Takeaways

• Best Before Dates: These dates indicate the period when food is at its best quality. Food is safe to eat after this date, but it might not taste as good or be as fresh.
• Use By Dates: These dates are about safety. Never eat food past its use by date, as it could make you sick, even if it looks and smells fine.
• Food Storage: Proper storage can extend the life of your food. Follow the instructions on packaging to keep food fresh and reduce waste.

What is a Best Before Date?

So, what exactly is a best before date? It’s all about the quality of the food. This date tells you how long the food will be at its best in terms of taste, texture, and overall quality.

After this date, the food might not be as tasty or fresh, but it’s still safe to eat. You’ll find this date on loads of food products like frozen foods, tinned foods, and dairy products.

For example, if you’ve got a tin of beans that’s a bit past its best before date, it’s probably still fine to eat. The texture or flavour might not be quite the same, but if it’s been stored properly, it’s unlikely to cause any harm.

Can You Eat Food Past the Best Before Date?

The short answer is yes, you can often eat food past its best before date. The key here is to use your senses and a bit of common sense. Frozen food can be stored for longer periods without spoilage, but its texture may degrade over time.

If a bag of crisps is slightly stale after the date has passed, they might not be as crunchy, but they’re still safe to munch on. The same goes for frozen foods like peas or chips. As long as they’ve been stored properly in the freezer, they’re good to go, even after the best before date.

Remember, best before dates are about quality, not safety. This means the food might not be at its peak, but it’s still perfectly fine to eat. Just be sure to follow storage instructions to keep your food in the best condition possible.

What is a Use By Date?

Now, the use by date is a different story. This date is all about food safety. It tells you the last day you can safely eat the food. The importance of use by dates on food cannot be overstated, as they are crucial for preventing foodborne illnesses.

Use by dates are found on highly perishable items like meat products, ready-to-eat salads, and dairy products such as milk. These are foods that can spoil quickly and could make you sick if eaten after the date has passed.

Never Eat Food Past the Use By Date

You should never eat food past its use by date. Food business operators (FBOs) have the responsibility to ensure that food is safe to eat before the use by date. Even if the food looks or smells fine, it might still contain harmful bacteria that you can’t see or smell.

For example, if you’ve got some milk that’s past its use by date, it’s best to pour it down the sink, even if it seems okay.

Storing Food to Make It Last Longer

Storing your food properly is key to making it last longer and avoiding waste. Always follow storage instructions on the food packaging. For instance, meat products should be kept in the fridge at 5°C or below, and frozen foods should be stored at -18°C.

By storing food correctly, you can ensure it stays fresh for as long as possible. This is especially important for items like fresh fruit and vegetables, which can spoil quickly if not stored properly. Keeping your fridge at the right temperature and using up foods before their use by date will help reduce waste and save you money.

Reducing Food Waste and Saving Money

Nobody likes throwing away food, especially when it hits the wallet. To reduce food waste, try planning your meals and shopping with a list. This helps you buy only what you need, so you’re less likely to end up with food that goes off before you can eat it.

Another good tip is to freeze food before it reaches its use by date. Freezing can extend the shelf life of many foods, giving you more time to use them. Just make sure to label everything with the date you froze it, so you know when to use it by.

Where can you buy Food Past it Best Before Date?

There’s many retailers that specialise in selling food past their best before dates, these include:

• Discount Dragon
• Approved Food
• Clearance XL

Final Thoughts

So, next time you find something in your kitchen that’s past its best before date, don’t panic. It’s probably still safe to eat, though it might not be at its peak in terms of taste and texture. Just remember, the use by date is a different matter. Always respect it to avoid any risk of food poisoning.

By paying attention to food labels and storage instructions, you can keep your food fresh for longer, reduce waste, and save money.

FAQs

What does the best before date mean?

The best before date on food packaging indicates the date up until which the product will be at its best in terms of taste, texture, and quality. It doesn’t mean the food is unsafe to eat after this date, but it might not be as good as it was before.

Can you eat food past its best before date?

Yes, you can eat food past its best before date as long as it has been stored correctly and shows no signs of spoilage. However, the taste or texture might not be as good as when it was fresh.

What’s the difference between a best before date and a use by date?

The best before date is about the food’s quality, while the use by date is about safety. You can eat food after the best before date, but you should never eat food past its use by date as it could pose a food safety risk.

Is it safe to eat frozen foods past the best before date?

Yes, frozen foods are generally safe to eat past the best before date if they have been stored properly in the freezer. The quality might decline over time, but they won’t pose a safety risk.

Can you still use dairy products after the best before date?

You can still use many dairy products after the best before date, but check for signs of spoilage first, such as an off smell or sour taste. If the product smells and tastes fine, it’s likely safe to consume.

How strict should I be with use by dates on meat products?

You should always be strict with use by dates on meat products. Never eat food after the use by date has passed, even if it looks and smells okay, as it could still contain harmful bacteria.

Can I freeze food before the use by date?

Yes, you can freeze food before its use by date to extend its shelf life. Freezing stops bacteria from growing, so the food will be safe to eat when you defrost and cook it later.

Is it okay to donate food that’s past its best before date?

Yes, it’s generally okay to donate food that’s past its best before date as long as it’s still in good condition. However, food past its use by date should never be donated due to potential safety risks.

Can I rely on the sniff test for food with a best before date?

The sniff test can be useful for food with a best before date to check if it’s still good to eat. If it smells fine and there are no visible signs of spoilage, it’s likely safe to consume. However, never rely on the sniff test for food with a use by date.

Why do some foods have a best before date while others have a use by date?

Best before dates are used for foods that are about quality, like tinned foods or frozen foods, where the risk of spoilage is low. Use by dates are for highly perishable foods like meat products and ready-to-eat salads that could become unsafe to eat after a certain period.