What is the Difference Between Best before and Use by Dates?

The main difference between "best before" and "use by" dates lies in their purpose and safety implications:

• Best Before Date: This date is about the quality of the food, not its safety. Foods with a best before date will last until that date and sometimes even beyond if stored properly. The quality of the food, such as taste, color, and texture, may deteriorate after the best before date, but it is still safe to consume if stored correctly. Examples of foods with best before dates include frozen foods, dried foods, tinned foods, and cheese.
• Use By Date: This date is related to food safety. Foods with a use by date must be consumed before or on that date to ensure they are safe to eat. It is not advisable to consume food after its use by date, even if it looks and smells fine, as it could cause illness. You will see use by dates on food that goes off quickly, such as meat products or ready-to-eat salads.

In summary, best before dates indicate when a food product will lose quality, while use by dates indicate when a food product may become unsafe to consume. It is essential to learn and understand these dates, along with proper storage instructions, to keep food safe and maintain its quality.

Comparative Table: Best before vs Use by Dates

The main difference between "best before" and "use by" dates lies in their purpose:

In summary, the "best before" date is about the quality of the food, while the "use by" date is about safety. Foods with "best before" dates may still be safe to eat after the date, but they may have lost quality and some nutritional value. On the other hand, foods with "use by" dates should not be consumed after the date to ensure safety.