Did You Know: 'Best Before' & 'Expiry Date' Aren't The Same Thing? Here's The Difference
One hints at quality fading; the other warns about safety.
Cover image via We've all thrown away food just because the date on the label looked a bit sus
Maybe the milk is one day 'over', and suddenly it feels like it's turned into poison.
But here's the truth: not all dates on food labels mean the same thing. And knowing the difference can actually save you money and your stomach.
Let's break down 'Best Before' vs 'Expiry Date' once and for all.
Image via EatingWell/Mashed (Edited by SAYS)
'Best Before' or 'Baik Sebelum' just means the food may not taste as good after that date
Think of it like this: the food is still safe to eat, just not at its peak deliciousness anymore.
You'll usually find 'Best Before' on shelf-stable or packaged goods like biscuits, canned food, instant noodles, cereal, UHT milk, and chocolates. These products can still be consumed after the printed date, as long as:
- The packaging is intact
- There's no weird smell, mould, or discolouration
- It's been stored properly
Example: You find a box of crackers that says 'Best Before 1 June'. It's now 3 June. If it smells okay and still looks fine, go ahead and eat it. It might be a bit stale, but it won't kill you.
TL;DR: 'Best Before' = quality. Still safe, just not as fresh or tasty.
Image via SAYS
On the other hand, 'Expiry Date' is not a suggestion. It's a hard no.
This is the date where safety becomes a concern. Consuming the item after this date might make you sick — no matter how normal it looks.
You'll find expiry dates on high-risk items like:
- Fresh milk
- Yogurt
- Eggs
- Meat and seafood
- Medications
These are prone to bacterial growth once they past their expiry, even if they still "look" fine from the outside. One day late is still too late.
Example: Fresh milk with an expiry date of 8 June. Today is 9 June? Don't smell it. Don't sip it. Just throw it away.
TL;DR: 'Expiry Date' = safety. Don't eat. Don't test fate.
Image via SAYS
