What is the difference between the best before date and the expiry date?
Food products generally have dates on them giving you a time period after which they are no longer suitable for human consumption. The best before date is as the name says – the food is best if it is eaten before this date. This does not mean that it has to be thrown out the next day because it is still good to eat. The expiry date is the date at which the food can be considered to be no longer fit to eat. You will usually find the expiry date on canned food.
Once the expiry date has been reached on the package of food you should not eat it because it could make you ill. Depending on the ingredients in the food, it is quite possible that you could get food poisoning and have to be hospitalized. You do need to make sure you check the dates on all the food you buy before you cook or eat it.
The best before date and the expiry date on food products refer to the shelf life of the product. The shelf life is the length of time that it is still good to eat. The main difference between the dates is the way you treat the food after the date has passed. An expiry date means that the shelf life has expired. This does not necessarily mean that the food is unsafe, but it does mean that you shouldn’t take any chances with your health by eating it.
The Best Before date on food products refers to the quality of the food. It is at its best before this date and the quality wanes after that date has passed. It tends to lose its flavor so even if it is not spoiled, it may taste as if it is.