Friday 9 November 2012

Use by the best before date (food labels)

Food is by far one of the biggest drains on a student budget. So I find it really annoying when people waste food, just because it’s ‘out of date’ when most of the time there is nothing wrong with it.
There is a lot of confusion about all the dates on food packaging and I don’t blame you, it can be confusing at the best of times. So, here is my quick guide to all those dates you find on your tin of beans.

Use-by date.

use by date

This one is self explanatory, you should use it by that date.After that date BIN IT. Although personally if the 13th of December rolled round I would still eat it. Use your common sense
Foods that are labelled with this usually include ‘high risk’ foods such as milk, eggs , and fish

Best before

best before date

This label has very little to do with how safe the food is to eat. This is purely the date that the supermarket feel the product is at it’s best. Foods like these do not need to be thrown out after this date as they are longer lasting foods such as pasta or often frozen foods. They are still edible after this date. When eating foods past the best before date use that common sense again. Does it taste off? Has it mysteriously turned green? Yes? Then BIN! If not then go ahead, enjoy.

Sell-by (and Display-until)

Ignore this; this has nothing to do with you. This is for the supermarket staff. See the use-by and best before dates instead.

Keep it scrimpy
Laura

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