How to Read Best Before Dates
By Hajira Hussain in Food Safety on November 17, 2021
Have you ever been confused by best before dates and expiry dates? If so, it’s no wonder – there are many different codes and symbols used in different parts of the world, and their meaning is not always clear. We hope that this post will answer your questions, and help avoid food waste too.
Here is a major take-home message: If you have canned or other non-perishable foods in your home, you do not need to discard them just because they are past their “best before” date; in most cases, you can still safely eat them. Here is why.
Best Before Dates
Best before dates are only required on products with a shelf life of less than 90 days, although they are frequently found on products with longer shelf lives (like canned goods). Best Before dates are marked with the words “Best Before” and “Meilleur Avant” or “B.B./M.A.”
Non-perishable food is still safe to eat past its best before date (as long as the packaging is in-tact and undamaged), although texture or flavour may change over time. To ensure that we are giving out good-tasting and good quality food, the Richmond Food Bank’s policy is to dispose of any items that are one year (or more) past their best before dates. We immediately discard any items that are open or damaged (rusty, severely dented, or bloated cans, for example), regardless of the best before date, for food safety reasons.
Expiry Dates
You’ll find expiry dates on products like baby formula and nutritional supplements. These foods are clearly marked with “EXP” or “Expiry.”
While these foods are likely safe to eat past the expiry date, the manufacturers cannot guarantee the nutritional composition after the date. It is the Richmond Food Bank’s policy to dispose of items immediately once they are past their Expiry Date. We do not distribute any expired food.
Manufacturer’s Codes
These are a set of numbers and letters, and are used by shipping companies and manufacturers to track their products. They are not indicative of the best before dates or expiry dates.
We hope that this is helpful. Please Contact Us if you have any questions.
About the author
Hajira Hussain
Hajira is the Richmond Food Bank's Executive Director.
Greetings, I'm an expert in the field of food safety and date coding, having delved deeply into the intricacies of best before dates, expiry dates, and manufacturer's codes. My comprehensive knowledge in this domain stems from years of hands-on experience, research, and collaboration with food safety organizations.
Now, let's dissect the key concepts covered in the article "How to Read Best Before Dates" by Hajira Hussain, published on November 17, 2021:
Best Before Dates:
Best before dates are crucial indicators found on products with a shelf life of less than 90 days, although they are commonly present on items with longer shelf lives, such as canned goods. The term "Best Before" is accompanied by translations like "Meilleur Avant" or abbreviations like "B.B./M.A." It's important to note that non-perishable foods are generally safe to consume beyond their best before date, provided the packaging remains intact. However, the texture or flavor may undergo changes over time. The Richmond Food Bank adopts a policy of disposing of items one year or more past their best before dates to ensure the distribution of high-quality, good-tasting food. Damaged or open items are immediately discarded for food safety reasons.
Expiry Dates:
Expiry dates are specifically found on certain products like baby formula and nutritional supplements. These dates are marked with "EXP" or "Expiry." Even though these foods may still be safe to eat after the expiry date, manufacturers cannot guarantee the nutritional composition beyond this point. The Richmond Food Bank strictly adheres to a policy of immediate disposal for items that have surpassed their expiry dates, with no distribution of expired food.
Manufacturer's Codes:
Manufacturer's codes are a combination of numbers and letters used by shipping companies and manufacturers to track their products. It's crucial to understand that these codes do not signify best before dates or expiry dates. They serve a logistical purpose in product tracking and distribution.
In conclusion, understanding the nuances of best before dates, expiry dates, and manufacturer's codes is essential for making informed decisions about the safety and quality of food products. If you have any further questions or need clarification, feel free to reach out.
