Best before vs expiry date: What every consumer needs to know

POLOKWANE – When shopping for food, consumers often lack knowledge in terms of the difference between the ‘best before’ and ‘expiry date’, printed on the labelling.

These labels provide crucial information about the quality and safety of the product. It also helps consumers to make informed decisions about their purchases.

Kulani Mtileni, senior dietitian at Dietitians24 in Plein Street, explained that while both the ‘best before’ and ‘expiry date” serve as guidelines for consumers, and have distinct attributes that differentiate them.

“Understanding the differences between best before and expiry date is crucial for making informed decisions about the food we consume. While the best before date focuses on the quality and freshness of the product, the expiry date is directly linked to food safety concerns. The best before date is a label found on most food products, indicating the date until which the manufacturer guarantees the product’s optimal quality,” he said.

He added that it is important to note that the best before date does not indicate food safety, instead it suggests the period during which the product is at its peak freshness, flavour, and texture.

Beyond this date, the product may still be safe to consume, but its quality may have deteriorated.

The best before date is commonly used for non-perishable items such as canned goods, dry goods, and packaged snacks.

“One of the key attributes of the best before date is its flexibility. It allows consumers to use their judgment and sensory evaluation to determine if the product is still suitable for consumption. For example, if a package of cookies is past its best before date, but still looks and smells fine, it is likely safe to eat. However, if there are noticeable changes in colour, texture, or odour, it is advisable to discard the product,” he advised.

The best before date empowers consumers to make informed decisions based on their own observations and preferences. Another important aspect of the best before date is that it does not apply to all food products.

Mtileni added that fresh produce, meat, and dairy items typically do not carry a best before date, instead, they often have a different labelling system, such as a ‘sell by’ or ‘use by’ date, which indicates the date by which the retailer should sell the product to ensure its freshness.

“These dates are more closely related to food safety concerns and are stricter than the best before date expiry date. The expiry date, also known as the ‘use by date’ or the ‘shelf-life date’, is a label that indicates the date until which the manufacturer guarantees the product’s safety for consumption.

Unlike the best before date, the expiry date is directly linked to food safety concerns.

Consuming a product past its expiry date may pose health risks, as the product could have become contaminated or developed harmful bacteria.

One of the primary attributes of the expiry date is its strictness. It serves as a clear guideline for consumers, indicating the last day on which the product is considered safe to consume.

“It is crucial to adhere to the expiry date to minimise the risk of foodborne illnesses. Products that commonly carry an expiry date include perishable items like fresh meat, dairy products, and ready-to-eat meals. Unlike the best before date, the expiry date does not leave room for interpretation or personal judgment. It is a fixed date that should be followed to ensure food safety. Consuming products beyond their expiry date can lead to food poisoning or other health complications. Therefore, it is important to be vigilant and check the expiry date before consuming perishable items,” he concluded.