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Best Before or Use By - February 2020
When you are choosing perishable food items, there is a huge difference between a ‘best before' and a ‘use by' date on the packaging. These dates are included on packaging to tell you how long a product will maintain peak freshness and in the case of highly perishable foods be safe to eat.
In Australia, from December 2002, all packaged foods with a shelf life of less than two years must have a ‘use by' or ‘best before' date stamped on the packaging. Foods that are past their use by or best before date may still be safe to eat, they may just have lost some nutritional value and quality.
Generally, foods such as meats, dairy products, deli lines and pre-packaged fresh meals (pizzas, lasagnes etc.) have a ‘use by' date. This means that the food is guaranteed fresh until the date stamped on the container, if it is stored correctly. If you haven't used the product by this date, you must either freeze it, or it's time to throw it out as it may not be safe to eat.
‘Best before' indicates that the product will retain its peak freshness until this date. After that, foods may change in colour, taste and texture. You will find this date stamped on baked goods such as biscuits, snack foods, cereals etc. and some canned foods.
When you are shopping, it pays to check the use by and best before dates on food stuffs that you buy, especially if you are not going to use them immediately. And always check the dates on foods on the throw-out trolley or that are marked down to make sure you really are getting a bargain, and not paying the supermarket to take something they would need to dump.
In Australia, from December 2002, all packaged foods with a shelf life of less than two years must have a ‘use by' or ‘best before' date stamped on the packaging. Foods that are past their use by or best before date may still be safe to eat, they may just have lost some nutritional value and quality.
Generally, foods such as meats, dairy products, deli lines and pre-packaged fresh meals (pizzas, lasagnes etc.) have a ‘use by' date. This means that the food is guaranteed fresh until the date stamped on the container, if it is stored correctly. If you haven't used the product by this date, you must either freeze it, or it's time to throw it out as it may not be safe to eat.
‘Best before' indicates that the product will retain its peak freshness until this date. After that, foods may change in colour, taste and texture. You will find this date stamped on baked goods such as biscuits, snack foods, cereals etc. and some canned foods.
When you are shopping, it pays to check the use by and best before dates on food stuffs that you buy, especially if you are not going to use them immediately. And always check the dates on foods on the throw-out trolley or that are marked down to make sure you really are getting a bargain, and not paying the supermarket to take something they would need to dump.
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