Every year, countless people throw away perfectly good food because they misunderstand the dates printed on packaging. Many assume that \u201cBest By\u201d or \u201cBest Before\u201d means the food is unsafe after that date, but in most cases, that\u2019s not true. These dates are usually indicators of quality\u2014not safety. A \u201cBest By\u201d or \u201cBest Before\u201d date simply tells you when the product is expected to taste its best. For example, a can of beans labeled \u201cBest By June 2024\u201d will likely still be safe to eat after that date, although the flavor or texture might not be at its absolute peak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s important to know the difference between date labels. While \u201cBest By,\u201d \u201cBest Before,\u201d and even \u201cSell By\u201d dates are mainly about freshness and quality, actual expiration dates (often written as \u201cExp.\u201d) are the ones that indicate when a product may no longer be safe to consume. However, many canned and shelf-stable foods don\u2019t even have a true expiration date. In most cases, as long as the can is in good condition\u2014meaning there are no signs of bulging, leaking, severe dents, or rust\u2014it is likely still safe to eat. Using your senses is key: if the food looks normal, smells fine, and tastes as expected, it\u2019s probably still good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Canned foods, especially when stored in a cool, dry place, can remain safe for months or even years past their \u201cBest Before\u201d dates. The real danger comes from damaged packaging, which can allow bacteria to grow. A swollen or leaking can, an unusual odor, or changes in color or texture are clear signs that the food should be discarded, regardless of the printed date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Manufacturers include these dates primarily to guarantee the best taste and quality and to protect their brand reputation. Unfortunately, misunderstanding these labels leads to massive food waste. In fact, a large percentage of global food waste comes from consumers throwing away items that are still edible simply because the date has passed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Understanding how to read these labels correctly can help you save money, reduce waste, and make more informed decisions about the food you consume. Before throwing away a can or package just because the \u201cBest By\u201d date has passed, take a moment to check its condition and use your judgment. A simple shift in perception can make a big difference\u2014for your wallet and for the planet.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Every year, countless people throw away perfectly good food because they misunderstand the dates printed on packaging. Many assume that \u201cBest By\u201d or \u201cBest Before\u201d means the… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":13773,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13772","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"views":247,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsinbr.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13772","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsinbr.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsinbr.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsinbr.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsinbr.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=13772"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/newsinbr.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13772\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13774,"href":"https:\/\/newsinbr.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13772\/revisions\/13774"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsinbr.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/13773"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsinbr.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13772"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsinbr.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13772"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsinbr.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13772"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}