this may be a really stupid question but....whats difference between...???

frugal_shopper_2

Best before dates can vary a bit in the way they are written due to EU labelling regulations but they all relate purely to the time the product will be at optimum quality.
1. Best before + Day for foods with an optimum shelf life of up to 3 months.
2. Best before end + Month for foods with more than an optimum 3 month shelf life.
3. Best before end + Year for food with more than an optimum 18 month shelf life. (This format is rarely used though).

Use By dates are for fresh produce & they mean that the product must be sold by that date as it won't last long beyond that date (obviously that would change if you were to freeze an item or preserve it in some other way such as making jam or chutney etc...), the food doesn't suddenly become inedible the following morning but you do need to use your judgement as to wether or not it is still safe to eat.

Tins, jars, dried/vacuum packed foods etc... are perfectly safe to eat for a considerable length of time after the best before dates as long as they are stored appropriately & the seals are intact. In the last few years I have eaten food which manufactured in the 60's or possibly earlier that still tasted fine, I am fairly sure I am still alive so it can't of had an adverse effect on me.
I am currently using mayonnaise which is marked best before July 2010 which is still perfectly ok & tastes no different to a jar of the same brand that is still in date.

Ocassionally on slow news days there is a story in the media about some particularly old food being eaten such as this one about a 50 year old tin of chicken.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1509920/Chicken-tastes-supreme-after-50-years-in-a-tin.html

Ezmondino

lindens wrote: »

God yes all the time! it doesnt automatically go bad at midnight you know!
I just use my nose and common sense - never failed me yet!

+1

It's all about thinking for yourself.

piknie47

lindens wrote: »

God yes all the time! it doesnt automatically go bad at midnight you know!
I just use my nose and common sense - never failed me yet!

I can't imagine throwing stuff out just because it's got a date on it! Just use your own judgement and it's perfectly fine. We've all got our own limits as to how long we'll keep stuff for, so I just use the date as a guide and then do my own thing. Works for me and I'm still standing.:eek: