Admit it: who hasn’t thrown away a packet of pasta or a jar of honey simply because it had passed its expiration date? Yet, our cupboards are full of foods that are far more resilient than we imagine. Better understanding the dates printed on packaging not only helps avoid waste but also allows us to consume more wisely. And the good news is: some products last for years without a hitch… provided you know how to store them properly.
Expiry date or best before date: don’t confuse them anymore
First and foremost, some clarification is needed. The phrase “use by” indicates a strict food safety limit, while “best before” means that the product remains safe to eat after that date, even if its taste or texture may change slightly. Many dried or fermented foods fall into this second category: true allies in the fight against food waste .
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