Best before?

[tim]

Good guide, but there's a place for Common Sense?

This is great, 4 years beyond!

[tim]

[Hyacinth]

 ;D ;D ;D

Nice one, Tim!

Lishka x

[jennym]

Dread to think whats in the back of the cupboard!  ;D

But I'm not sure if many people realise the significance of the "Use by" and "Best before" dates, because I get asked often about these.
My understanding of the regs on packaged products is that:
"Use by" means just that, the product should be used by that date because there is a risk to health if it isn't - covers things like meat, milk, things that do go off.
"Best before" means that the product will be at its best before the date shown, and is usually generally accepted to be edible after the date shown, but the quality i.e. flavour texture, colour may not be at its optimum.

[tim]

So right.

But, in fact, there are so many things - eg Yoghurt, Creme Fraiche - which are good a month after the date!