Best Before and Expiry Dates: What's the difference?

Summary

In Canada, food labeling includes best before dates, expiry dates, and packaged on dates, each serving a distinct purpose. Best before dates, required for products with a shelf life under 90 days, indicate peak quality and nutrient retention but do not guarantee safety. Expiry dates, mandated for products like infant formula and medical diets, ensure nutrient potency and legally restrict sale after the specified date. Packaged on dates, found on fresh meat and poultry, help consumers and retailers track storage periods for freshness. Understanding these labels helps shoppers make informed choices about quality, safety, and storage of perishable foods.

Takeaways

• 😀 In Canada, 'best before' dates are required on all products with a shelf life of less than 90 days.
• 😀 The 'best before' date indicates when a product is estimated to remain wholesome, palatable, and retain its nutrient content.
• 😀 'Best before' dates are not an estimate of safety; it is legal to sell products past this date.
• 😀 The 'expiry date' is different from 'best before' and is regulated by the government for specific foods.
• 😀 Foods with expiry dates cannot be sold past that date due to changes in nutrient content.
• 😀 Common foods with expiry dates include infant formula, liquid medical diets, meal replacements, and dietary supplements.
• 😀 'Packaged on' dates are used for fresh meat and poultry products.
• 😀 The 'packaged on' date helps consumers know when the product was prepared and how long it can be safely stored in refrigeration.
• 😀 Retail stores often provide posters showing recommended storage periods based on the 'packaged on' date for meat and poultry.
• 😀 Different date labeling on food products serves different purposes: freshness, nutrient retention, and regulatory compliance.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the 'best before' date on food products in Canada?

The 'best before' date indicates the period during which the food is expected to remain wholesome, palatable, and retain its nutrient content. It is not an indicator of safety.

Is it legal to sell food products after their 'best before' date in Canada?

Yes, it is legal to sell products that have passed their 'best before' date, as this date does not relate to food safety.

What types of food require a 'best before' date in Canada?

All products with a shelf life of less than 90 days are required to have a 'best before' date.

How is the 'expiry date' different from the 'best before' date?

The expiry date is regulated by the government and indicates the date after which the food cannot be sold, usually due to potential changes in nutrient content. The 'best before' date only estimates freshness and quality.

Which foods commonly have an expiry date rather than a 'best before' date?

Foods like infant formula, liquid diets for medical conditions, meal replacements, and dietary supplements have expiry dates because nutrient potency can decline over time.

What does the 'packaged on' date indicate on fresh meat and poultry?

The 'packaged on' date shows when the product was packaged and is used in combination with storage guidelines to determine how long the product can remain refrigerated.

Why do only certain foods carry an expiry date?

Expiry dates are required for foods with specific nutritional functions where changes in nutrient content could affect safety or effectiveness, such as infant formula and dietary supplements.

How is information about the 'packaged on' date usually made available to consumers?

Retail stores typically display the 'packaged on' date in the meat department, often alongside recommended storage durations for different types of meat and poultry.

Does a 'best before' date guarantee food safety?

No, the 'best before' date only indicates the period during which the food is expected to remain at its best quality, not whether it is safe to eat after that date.

What factors determine the duration before a 'best before' date is set?

The manufacturer estimates the duration based on how long the food is likely to remain wholesome, maintain its nutrient content, and retain palatability under proper storage conditions.

Can the nutrient content of a product change after the 'best before' date?

Yes, the nutrient content and freshness may decline after the 'best before' date, but this does not necessarily mean the food is unsafe.