What Is The Difference Between “Expiration Date” and “Best Before Date”?

Food waste is a tremendous environmental problem in the world especially in Indonesia as a second largest food waste contributor in the world. According to the Economist Intelligence Unit, at least each individual produces 300 kilograms of food waste every year. This problem is caused by several factors including misunderstanding of expired date and best before date in the food packaging. Certain people think that expired date and best before date have the same meaning. In fact, there are significant differences between expired date and best before date.

Now with the shortage to consider, it is more important than ever to ask, what is the expiration date? What is the difference between best before date? A healthy understanding of the necessity of any of these labels can do a great deal in helping you contribute to decreasing food waste.


What is a “best before date”?

A best before date on a food package states when the durable life period of the food ends. According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, durable life means “the anticipated amount of time that an unopened food product, when stored under appropriate conditions, will retain its freshness, taste, nutritional value, or any other qualities claimed by the manufacturer”. 

This date tells consumers that the unopened product should be of high quality until that specific date. The key with this date is that it is dependent upon the product being properly handled and stored based on the requirements of that particular food product. This means that failure to adhere to the guidelines for handling and storing a particular product will affect its quality by the best before date. This also means that the best before date no longer applies if a package is opened.

Best before dates do not guarantee that a food product is safe to prepare and serve to customers. Food businesses must ensure that Food Handler protocols and food safety rules are being followed to ensure a food product is safe for consumption.


What is an “expired date''?

An expiry date is not the same as a best before date. These dates are required on certain foods that have specific nutritional compositions that could falter after the determined expiration date. In other words, after the expiration date has passed, the food may not have the nutrient content as described on the label.

Expiry dates are required for formulated liquid diets, foods sold by a pharmacist, meal replacements, nutritional supplements and infant formula. If a food has passed its expiration date it should be discarded and not used.

In conclusion, reducing food waste is critical. Understanding expiration and best before date labels can help you to be heroes in reducing food waste. Start from now to implement the understanding of those meanings in your life. Keep up your good work to be environmental heroes in your community.