Best Before Date & Expiry Date – What You Should Know

Best Before Date & Expiry Date – What You Should Know

Understanding the difference between Before Date & Expiry Date is essential for anyone looking to maintain a nutritious diet. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or your family, it pays to know the difference between these two labels — to keep your meals fresh and ensure your food is safe and healthy. Let’s look at what best before, and expiry dates mean so you can make informed decisions at the grocery store.

Best Before Dates:
Best before date refers to the quality of the product rather than its safety. This means that after this date has passed, the food may still be safe and edible, but it won’t taste as good as it should. Items labelled with a best-before date usually have a longer shelf life than those with an expiry date — think canned goods, frozen foods, dry products like grains and pasta, or other non-perishable items.

Expiry Date:
Expiry dates indicate when a product can no longer be consumed safely due to bacteria growth or spoilage. Foods that expire quickly, such as dairy products, meat, poultry, seafood and prepared meals, must have an expiry date marked on their label. When shopping for these products, always check the expiry date — if it’s already passed or near its end date, choose another item instead! The same goes for any opened packages — if they have expired, throw them out immediately!

Xtra Protein Conclusion:
Keeping track of the ensures you get maximum value from your groceries while keeping your health in check! By understanding the difference between these two labels and inspecting them when shopping for food items, you can ensure that what you eat is fresh and safe every time you eat. So next time you’re at the grocery store, don’t forget to double-check those expiration dates!