FSSAI Releases Video Guide to Clear Confusion Betwen ‘Best Before’ and ‘Expiry Date’ labels on food items

Have you ever looked at the back of a product in a grocery store and wondered what’s the difference between ‘best before’ and ‘expiry’ dates on food labels? The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has released a surefire guide help you read your labels correctly.

Packaged grocery food items typically display ‘best before’ and ‘expiry’ dates on their labels. While food items past their ‘best before’ date are often discarded, those beyond their expiry date are definitely thrown away. This still doesn’t clear the difference between the two, however. The ‘best before’ date suggests that the food’s quality, flavor, or crispness might decline after this date, whereas the expiry date indicates that the food is no longer safe to consume.

When buying and using packaged foods, it’s crucial to read labels to understand the ingredients and ensure they are safe to consume on a given date. Certain foods become more susceptible to bacterial growth over time, and the expiry date helps consumers know when these items are unsafe to eat.

Best Before Date

“While buying food products, always check the date of manufacture, best before date, and expiry date,” says a video posted by the FSSAI on X. The date of manufacture indicates when the product was made and packaged. The best before date signifies the period during which the food is in its optimal condition for consumption.

For example, if a grocery item is manufactured on April 10, 2024, with a best before date of three months, it should ideally be consumed by July 10, 2024, to ensure its quality, taste, and nutritional value. However, after the best before date, the food may still be safe to eat.

“After the best before date, the food product may lose its taste, freshness, aroma, or nutrients. It does not necessarily mean that the food is no longer safe to eat,” explains the FSSAI.

Expiry Date

The expiry date, in contrast, marks the point after which the food is unsafe to consume. Consuming food past its expiry date can have adverse health effects.

“If the expiry date is June 30, 2020, then after this date, the food item is unsafe to use and can be harmful to your health,” warns the FSSAI. “Never consume food whose expiry date has passed, as it may be unsafe to eat and may cause health hazards.”, further stated the FSSAI.