Best before, Sell by, Use by… Food packaging dates can get a tad confusing, but understanding them goes a long way in making informed choices as to when a particular food should be consumed by, whilst its quality remains at its best.

Food dates are an essential consideration when it comes to deciding the edibility of a food product. However, these dates hardly determine the actual condition and safety of the food products we consume. So, why are these dates printed on our food products then, and do we fully comprehend the difference between the various food expiry labels?

Going by Singapore’s Sale of Food Act, the dates stamped on prepacked food items refer to their expiry date. This is to let buyers know that the foods may not retain their natural goodness and quality past the specified date. ‘Use by’, ‘Best before’, or ‘Sell by’ are some of the commonly used labels to signify the expiry date of a food item. However, these terms are not used interchangeably, across the various categories of food items.

Use by

Stricter than the other date markings, ‘use by’ dates are also a measure of food safety, especially for items such as infant formula. This label is also often found on highly perishable food items such as:

• Milk and yoghurt
• Fresh produce like meat, fish and poultry
• Ready-to-eat meals
• Ham and deli meats
• Pre-cut vegetables

When it comes to perishable foods, following storage instructions like ‘Keep refrigerated’ and preparing the food as described on the packaging are just as key as noting their ‘Use by’ date. Microbes contained in fresh meat and dairy products will multiply over time, and improper storage or when left uneaten for too long will lead to food becoming rancid. This could cause adverse health issues such as diarrhoea, vomiting, and nausea when eaten past the ‘Use by’ date, even if the food looks and smells normal.

Best before

‘Best before’ or ‘Best by’ dates, on the other hand, let consumers know how long the food will last before it begins to lose its quality. According to The Singapore Food Manufacturers’ Association, a ‘Best before’ date is like a suggestion derived from the manufacturer’s experience. Once the ‘Best by’ date has passed, the food could still be edible, but its texture or flavour may not be the same as at time of production. This is still subjected to the conditions the food was stored in – the right temperature and environment. Some food types can still be consumed up to several months following the ‘Best by’ date.

‘Best by’ dates are commonly used for food items with longer shelf life, such as:

• Cereals and biscuits
• Muesli and nut bars
• Canned foods
• Frozen foods
• Jams and spreads

Sell by

‘Sell by’ dates are used to let retailers know when to remove food items from the shelves. In Singapore, it is against the law for retailers to sell a food item once its ‘Sell by’ date has passed as the food quality is no longer acceptable.

However, going past the ‘Sell by’ date does not render a food unsafe for consumption. This is why it is usual for supermarkets and food retailers to offer discounts on food items which are nearing their expiry dates, or even donating them to charities and food banks.

Expiry date

While the term ‘Expiry date’ does not have a fixed definition, it is a widespread understanding that this is an indicator of the last day a food is considered safe for consumption. But exceptionally, they also suggest that a certain product may not be as effective or may not result in the desired flavour and texture past the expiry date. Labels such as ‘Expires on’ or ‘Do not use after’ are seen on food items like:

• Baby food and infant formula
• Vitamins and medications
• Packaged cake mixes and baking ingredients such as yeast and baking powder

As part of the food safety protocol, SFA conducts regular checks to ensure that food products conform with the labelling standards. On the other hand, consumers are advised to exercise extra care when choosing food products based on the information provided on the label.

While dates alone may not be sufficient to determine the safety of a food product, improper storage or mishandling can also make a food unsafe to eat. Do be mindful to check for signs of spoilage, such as unpleasant odours, change in colour or texture, or growth of mold before consuming it.