‘Best Before’: A Guide for Quality
The 'Best Before' or 'Best if Used By' date is the most common, and most misunderstood, label on packaged goods. It has almost nothing to do with safety. Instead, this date is the manufacturer's estimate of when the product will be at its peak quality,
flavour, and texture. Food is often perfectly safe and wholesome to eat long after this date has passed. Think of it as a suggestion for optimal freshness, not a hard deadline. For items like biscuits, chips, pasta, and canned goods, the 'Best Before' date can often be ignored if the packaging is intact and the food looks and smells fine. According to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), food beyond its 'Best Before' date may lose some quality but can still be safe to consume.
‘Use By’ or ‘Expiry’: The Real Deadline
This is the one date to take seriously. The 'Use By' or 'Expiry' date is found on highly perishable items like milk, paneer, fresh meat, and ready-to-eat salads. This label indicates the last date the product is considered safe to eat, even if stored correctly. Consuming food past its 'Use By' date carries a risk of foodborne illness, as harmful bacteria can grow without any obvious signs of spoilage. The FSSAI defines the 'Use By' or 'Expiry' date as the end of the period after which the product may not remain safe and should not be sold or consumed. So, if an item is past its 'Use By' date, it's best to discard it, even if it looks and smells okay.
‘Sell By’: For the Retailer, Not You
The 'Sell By' date is not directed at the consumer at all. This date is a tool for retailers, helping them manage their inventory and stock rotation. It tells the store the last day a product should be on the shelf for sale, ensuring that the consumer has a reasonable amount of time to use it at home after purchase. You can still safely consume many foods for several days or even a week after the 'Sell By' date, especially items like milk, yoghurt, and eggs, provided they have been stored properly. Think of it as an internal deadline for the shop, not a safety warning for your kitchen.
The High Cost of Confusion
Misinterpreting these labels contributes to staggering amounts of food waste. A significant percentage of edible food is thrown away simply because consumers believe it's unsafe after the printed date. Research shows that this confusion leads many households to discard perfectly good food, contributing to an estimated 30 percent of the food supply being lost at the retail and consumer levels. By learning to distinguish between quality-based dates ('Best Before') and safety-based dates ('Use By'), consumers can prevent unnecessary waste and save a substantial amount of money. This simple knowledge empowers you to make smarter decisions in the grocery store and in your kitchen.
Beyond the Label: Trust Your Senses
Ultimately, the printed date is just one piece of information. The best tools for judging if a food is still good to eat are your own senses. Barring items past their 'Use By' date, you should always inspect your food before consuming it. Look for changes in colour, texture, or the presence of mould. An off smell is a classic indicator of spoilage. For many foods, especially those with a 'Best Before' date, if it looks, smells, and tastes fine, it likely is. However, this doesn't apply to everything. Be extra cautious with high-risk items like raw fish, soft cheeses, and unpasteurised dairy. When it comes to canned goods, never use a can that is bulging, badly dented, or leaking, as this can be a sign of dangerous bacterial contamination.
