Food labels - best before and use-by dates
Are you wasting food by throwing it away too soon, or eating food that's past its best? Most people don't know the difference between best before and use by dates, so here's our guide to make food labels easy to understand.
Use-by date
Where will I find it?
Use-by dates are usually found on foods such as salads, fish, soft cheese and milk - foods that go off quickly.
What does it mean?
Use-by dates refer to food safety, rather than food quality. They mean you should not consume any food or drink after the use-by date stated on the label. By eating food past this date you are putting yourself at risk of food poisoning. If you think you might not get round to eating the food before the use-by date, but don't want to waste it, check and see if it can be frozen to use at a later date.
Is it really as simple as that?
Yes, but it's also important that you've followed the storage instructions on the food label too, otherwise the food could spoil before its use by date. For example, if you left a pint of milk on the side instead of in the fridge, it would go off a long time before its use-by date.
Best before date
Where will I find it?
Best-before dates are usually found on frozen, canned or dried foods that last a bit longer.
What does it mean?
Best-before dates refer to food quality, rather than food safety. Food is at its best prior to the best-before date. Food eaten after the best-before date should be safe to eat, but it might lose its flavour and texture and will no longer be at its best.
Is it really as simple as that?
Yes, but you shouldn't eat eggs after the best-before date so you're not at risk of Salmonella poisoning.
Where to next?
Got some good tips on not wasting food? Send them in to us!
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For more information on food labels, visit www.eatwell.gov.uk
By Anna Penniceard
Average rating:
pauline holmes, 3 months
I bought some reduced vitamin health drink at ASDA today 21.08.09. BB date was 27.05.09. How long after BB date can you keep stuff and was ASDA within their rights to sell this??? Thanks
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