BEST BEFORE DATES: Everything You Need to Know
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You should understand that best before dates primarily indicate the quality rather than the safety of food. Essentially, it suggests that the food was at its peak or highest quality before the specified date, and its quality gradually declines afterward.
Concerning how long you can consume items after the best before date:
Canned goods: Up to one year after the best before date
Dairy (including eggs): Up to two weeks after the best before date
Poultry pieces: Up to six months in the freezer
Meats (such as beef, lamb, pork, and whole poultry): Up to one year in the freezer
Dry cereals: Up to one year after the best before date
Packaged snacks (like popcorn, granola bars, and bagged snacks): Up to one year after the best before date
Prepared and frozen meals: Up to one year after the best before date in the freezer
Unopened, shelf-stable condiments: Up to one year after the best before date
Unopened drinks (such as juice or coconut water): Up to one year after the best before date
Your opened ketchup in the fridge is only safe to eat for up to about six months after the best before date—not six years. Your yellow mustard lasts for one year, while mayonnaise lasts for three months. Only your hot sauce will last an extra three to five years when stored in the fridge (Sriracha only two years).
Here are three simple checks to consider for packaging and storage:
What temperature was the food stored at? Perishable food items must be stored at the correct temperature. Leaving yogurt, milk, or meat out of the fridge overnight can spoil them.
How does the packaging look, feel, and smell? Check for bulging, tears, rips, water damage, or signs of insects. Mould, foul smells, or discoloration are signs that the food has gone bad.
Was the food frozen properly, and how is the packaging? When meats, fruits, and vegetables are safely stored and frozen at the proper temperature, they can usually be consumed between six months to one year later. Items with freezer burn or ripped packaging may not be safe to eat.
By using your senses and following these guidelines, you can reduce food waste and make the most of your groceries.
Concerning how long you can consume items after the best before date:
Canned goods: Up to one year after the best before date
Dairy (including eggs): Up to two weeks after the best before date
Poultry pieces: Up to six months in the freezer
Meats (such as beef, lamb, pork, and whole poultry): Up to one year in the freezer
Dry cereals: Up to one year after the best before date
Packaged snacks (like popcorn, granola bars, and bagged snacks): Up to one year after the best before date
Prepared and frozen meals: Up to one year after the best before date in the freezer
Unopened, shelf-stable condiments: Up to one year after the best before date
Unopened drinks (such as juice or coconut water): Up to one year after the best before date
Your opened ketchup in the fridge is only safe to eat for up to about six months after the best before date—not six years. Your yellow mustard lasts for one year, while mayonnaise lasts for three months. Only your hot sauce will last an extra three to five years when stored in the fridge (Sriracha only two years).
Here are three simple checks to consider for packaging and storage:
What temperature was the food stored at? Perishable food items must be stored at the correct temperature. Leaving yogurt, milk, or meat out of the fridge overnight can spoil them.
How does the packaging look, feel, and smell? Check for bulging, tears, rips, water damage, or signs of insects. Mould, foul smells, or discoloration are signs that the food has gone bad.
Was the food frozen properly, and how is the packaging? When meats, fruits, and vegetables are safely stored and frozen at the proper temperature, they can usually be consumed between six months to one year later. Items with freezer burn or ripped packaging may not be safe to eat.
By using your senses and following these guidelines, you can reduce food waste and make the most of your groceries.