Get The Difference Between Best Before and Expiry Date

 

Hahahahahaha....... how many of you always think that best before and expiry date are the same? some of us will even throw our goods always once we see the day of expiry has come.. well, i guess this is were we need wisdom and knowledge about so many things.

I am here to tell you that there are differences between best before and expiry date..

Best before and Expiry date are two different words, two different meanings and terms.

I would like for us to understand what some of these food and product terms are because best before and expiry dates are mostly found on things we eat, drink and use.

Definition of Terms

Best Before Date: This is not meant for us to say the product or food has spoilt when we see the date. Best Before Date is for us to know that the period of freshness and newness for the product is over,but that does not mean we cant still eat or use the product. It doesn't signify that the food or product has spoilt. its just like wen we get a cup of water, at that point when the water comes out from the tap it is still fresh, but when we leave it on the table for about 5 mins, its not fresh again, but that doesn't mean we wont drink the water again right? So, don't get it twisted OK, best before doesn't mean the food or product has expired. Some of our manufacturers also have to learn the difference to because some of them just use any one without knowing which is which.

Expiry: Expiry date means the product has expired... Once its has gotten to the day of expiration, please do not take the product again.  Expiry Date means the product or food is no longer safe for consumption once it reaches the expiry day.

Sell By:  This is mostly for product sellers. This is  for them to know how far and long they can display the goods they are selling. Once its has passed, they are not to store or sell that product again. This is mostly for goods like meat, fish and moree....

The Main Difference Between Best Before and Expiry Date

Once a product says expiry date is so and so.. then it is no longer safe to eat cause it can lead to sickness, diseases and more. While once a product says Best Before, it means the product isnt fresh anymore which doesn't mean that the food or product is no longer safe to eat.

Expiry date is not usually seen on most consumable goods unlike Best Before. Though there are some products which  have expiry dates and should be checked carefully

1. Milk Products and Baby Foods

2. Nutritional Supplement

3. Meal Replacement

4. Pharmacists low foods on low-energy diets

5. Formulated Liquid Diets

Best Before products are easy to find in super markets.

Best Before have to do with quality while Expiry date has to with  safety.

Best before has to with quality reduction in the product. The level of quality reduces as the best before day comes. So there is no cause for alarm when you see that your product has come to the day of  best before. You can still use the goods its just the quality and freshness that has dropped. 

While once a product has expired, it no longer safe to eat as it can be dangerous to the body.

You can eat a food that has passed the best before day, it will only be low in some nutrients and change color which doesn't mean that its not eatable.

Manufacturers usually choose best before dates through sensory testing over a period of time. Testing may be scheduled for 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 9 months after the product was manufactured. This depends on the food that is being tested.

The truth is that manufacturers choose mostly 20% earlier date than the best before date. If the food’s quality can no longer be guaranteed after 100 days of storage, manufacturers would normally put the best before date at day 80 after manufacture.

Well, i guess  i have tried by letting know the difference(s) between Best Before and Expiry Dates...Knowledge is Power. 

Don't dispose your stuffs when you see best before, but for expiry, please let go of the product no matter what. 

Your comments are highly needed.