Many consumers use the terms ‘best by date’ and ‘expiry date’ interchangeably. This has led to unnecessary food wastage globally. As similar as the terms may seem, there is a significant difference.

Firstly, the ‘best by date’, which often appears on food items which have a longer shelf life. They usually can be found on canned food, biscuits, & frozen food. It is an indicator of the food quality. Once the date passes, the food may not be in its most pristine condition. Its freshness, taste, aroma or nutrients may have been lost, but it is still edible. 

Next, the expiration date states the last date when a product is safe for consumption. If a food product passes its expiry date, discard it immediately and do not consume. It can be dangerous to consume food products that have passed its expiry date as the date is determined by a multitude of factors, such as the types of ingredients used, the manufacturing process and the storing method of the food products.

How you should best store your food products to maintain its freshness even after its ‘best by date’:

• Open the food packaging only when you are consuming the food immediately. If you were to open and close the packaging, remove the portion of food you are consuming, then close the packaging tightly.

• Store your food products in a cool, dry place and avoid placing them in hot/humid conditions, as they may shorten product life.

Thus, to avoid unnecessary food wastage, it is advisable for you to firstly store the food products in appropriate conditions as stated, and next use your senses (sight, smell and taste) to judge if the food product is still edible. The product should be discarded if the taste has been compromised or the consistency has changed. Finally, good planning will greatly reduce unnecessary food wastage. Familiarise yourself with the ‘best by date’ and ‘expiry date’ to judge if food products are still consumable.