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Use-By vs. Best-Before: Making Safer, Smarter Choices with Food Date Labels
When it comes to food safety and quality, understanding the difference between “use-by” and “best-before” dates can help you make informed decisions about the food in your pantry. With proper knowledge, you can enjoy fresher, safer food while reducing waste. Let’s dive into what these labels mean and how you can use them to your advantage.
What’s the Difference Between Use-By and Best-Before Dates?
Use-By Dates: Safety First
The “use-by” date is all about safety. This label indicates the final day the product should be consumed for safety reasons. Food should not be eaten after this date, as it may pose a health risk, even if it appears fresh.
- Where You’ll Find It: Perishable items like meat, dairy products, and prepared salads typically have use-by dates.
- Important to Note: You should follow storage instructions (such as “keep refrigerated”) to ensure the food stays safe up until the use-by date.
Best-Before Dates: Quality Assurance
The “best-before” date, on the other hand, is about quality. This label suggests the period during which the product remains at its peak flavour and texture. After the best-before date, the food may lose some of its freshness, taste, or texture, but it’s still safe to eat as long as it’s been stored correctly.
- Where You’ll Find It: Non-perishable goods like canned foods, dried pasta, and snack items often come with best-before dates.
- Important to Note: While quality may decline, the food is generally safe to consume past the best-before date if stored according to instructions.
Why Do These Dates Matter?
Understanding the differences between use-by and best-before dates helps ensure both your health and the enjoyment of your food. By being mindful of these dates, you can also take steps to reduce food waste.
- Prevent Foodborne Illness: Following use-by dates can help avoid potentially harmful bacteria in perishable foods.
- Minimise Food Waste: Foods with expired best-before dates are still often edible, which can reduce waste if you check their quality before discarding them.
Practical Tips for Managing Expiry Dates
Here are some practical strategies to help you manage both use-by and best-before dates:
- Organise Your Pantry and Fridge
Arrange foods so those with the nearest use-by dates are at the front, making them easier to reach and more likely to be used before expiration.
- Create a Meal Plan Around Expiry Dates
Plan meals based on foods that are nearing their use-by or best-before dates. This is a great way to make sure they’re used up on time.
- Use Your Freezer to Extend Shelf Life
Freezing is an excellent way to extend the life of perishable foods. If you can’t use it in time, freeze it for later. Just check any specific guidelines, as some foods don’t freeze well.
- Trust Your Senses for Best-Before Dates
For foods past their best-before date, inspect for unusual smells, textures, or discolouration. These signs help determine if the food is still good to eat.
- Label and Date Items in Your Fridge and Freezer
Label any leftovers or foods you freeze with the date they were stored. This way, you can keep track of how long they’ve been stored and plan to use them within a safe time frame.
By learning the differences between use-by and best-before dates and adopting simple strategies to manage them, you can enjoy safer meals, save money, and contribute to reducing food waste.
With Australian Food Safety Week upon us, now is a great time to start incorporating label-reading into your food preparation routine. The theme, “Look Before You Cook – Read the Food Labels,” encourages Australians to make label-reading a habit to ensure they’re fully informed before preparing meals. It’s a simple yet powerful way to enhance food safety and quality in our kitchens, whether at home or in hospitality settings.
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