Confusing Best before dates and Expiry dates ?

                                            Week 5 ( Save $5 )

The topic of "Best before date" and "Expiry dates" on food products must come up in conversation at least a few times a week. It's very confusing to all!!

I hope I can clarify the two different labels.  Apparently thousands of food products gets thrown out because of this "confusing" label which leads to wastage of food and MONEY!

Best before dates guarantees freshness.  It has nothing to do with food safety. It does not mean the FOOD has gone BAD THAT DAY !!

All Food products that will only stay fresh for 90 days or less must have the Best Before Date. Some foods maybe consumed even passed the best before date.

Once a sealed food product has been opened, use your judgement. When in doubt, especially with foods that have been opened, dented, or smells, throw it out. Potato chips, crackers, cereals my loose their crunch after the best before date. If you can handle the stale taste, then eat it. If not, toss it.

When it comes to fresh meats such as chicken, pork and beef, etc. It's best to cook the meats before the best to date label because these foods contain pathogens. Same goes for dairy products such as milk, cheese, yoghourts etc.

But if your dairy product has not been opened and the date has passed. Don't be so quick to toss it out. It's still safe to eat.

Butter can be frozen, it's best to use the butter quickly once it's thawed within the next few days...bake some cookies or cakes.

Frozen meats should be consumed two days after thawing.

Canned foods can be consumed up to two years or more... if properly stored in cool dry spot with no bulges, rust or dents. If you encounter any of these issues, its time to throw them out.

Dry pasta has a self life of two years if stored properly. Egg pasta has a shorter shelf life. Best to use it according to date stamped on the package.

Whey powder supplement

Expiry Dates are marked with  "EXP" or EXPIRY" and only apply to 5 products:

• baby formula and other human milk substitutes
• meal replacements
• nutritional supplements
• pharmacist sold foods for very low- energy diets
• formulate liquid diets

Any of these foods should NEVER be consumed after the expiry date.

When in doubt, use your judgement and just throw it out.