Best Before And Use-By Dates
Best Before / Use By Dates

Best Before And Use-By Dates

Understanding Food Dates: How to Keep Your Kitchen Safe and Healthy

Here at Pasta Kitchen, we enjoy making great pasta dishes, but it's equally important to us that you get the most out of your ingredients!
The following guide will explore the differences between "sell by" and "best before" dates. For this, we are going to use items that every cook most likely has in their pantries: flour, semolina, and canned tomatoes.
This will arm you with more effective ways to reduce food waste and make more calculated decisions in your kitchen.

Food Safety First: What's a "Use By" Date?

Know that some foods carry a "use by" date. A "use by" date is a food safety date marked by the manufacturer. Avoid consuming foods after the "use by" date on the label because it may be unsafe. You will commonly see "use by" dates on ready-to-eat meats, fish, and ready-to-eat salads.

So, when does the "Sell By" date matter?

The "sell by" date has nothing to do with the safety of the food. It is an inventory tool used only by retailers. Food may still be safe to eat even after the "sell by" date, provided it has been stored properly and is within its "best before" period.

Best Before Dates: Your Guide to Freshness, Not Safety

The "best before" date is the date when the food item will retain maximum quality concerning taste, texture, and aroma. Beyond that date, even though it is not of the best quality, it is generally good to eat. Trust your senses-o-sight, smell, and taste-if the food is still good.

Flour, Semolina & Tinned Tomatoes: A Closer Look

Flour:

Best before: Generally 1 year from milling.
Storage: Store in airtight container in cool, dry place.
Past "best before": Flour may gradually lose some baking power but is safe indefinitely.

Semolina:

Best before: Sometimes included on package, but often generically labeled as 12 months
Storage: Store in airtight container in cool, dry place.
Past "best before": Just like flour, semolina might become a little less textured over time, yet is not unsafe to use.

Tinned Tomatoes:

Best before: About 2-3 years from the canning date
Storage: Store in cool dry place
Past "best before": Tin tomatoes will lose flavour but remain edible. Check for bulging cans or leak-discard defective can food standard agency guidelines:

For more information about food labelling and date marking, including a lot of other useful information regarding the content of the food we purchase, please check out the Food Standards Agency website: https://www.food.gov.uk/ .

Final Note: Trust Your Senses!

Always store food properly. If food looks mouldy, discoloured, or smells off, throw it away. Don't be afraid to trust your senses-what you can see, smell, and even taste-to tell if food is still good after the "best before" date.
Ready to Get Cooking?

At Pasta Kitchen, we adore the art of sharing the most delicious and provocative pasta recipes. Find more such at www.pasta.kitchen.