Most of us glance at the date on a carton of milk or a tub of yoghurt before it goes in the trolley. Fewer of us stop to think about what that date actually means. Food packaging in Australia usually carries one of two date marks. One is about safety and the other is about quality, and mixing them up can lead to wasted food or an upset stomach.
The good news is that the rules are simple once you know them. They come from Standard 1.2.5 of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. This guide explains the difference between use by and best before dates, what is allowed in shops and how to make sensible calls at home.
Why date marks cause confusion
Date labels look alike at a glance. Both are printed in small type, often on the base or lid of a pack. Food Standards Australia New Zealand ran a 2023 Consumer Insights Tracker survey. It found that up to a third of consumers in Australia and New Zealand are unclear about what date marks mean. That confusion can raise the risk of foodborne illness and lower confidence in food safety.
It also means good food gets thrown out. Someone who treats every date as a hard deadline may bin a packet of crackers that is perfectly fine. Someone who treats every date as a loose guide may eat meat that has gone past its safe point. Knowing which label you are looking at solves most of the problem.
What a use by date means
A use by date is about health and safety. It is used on foods that need to be eaten by a set time because they could become a health risk after that. Food with a use by date should not be eaten after the date. It also cannot legally be sold after that date.
The Better Health Channel in Victoria makes a clear point here. You should not eat food that is past its use by date, even if it looks and smells okay. Spoilage you can see or smell is not the only concern with these foods. When the date has passed, the safest choice is to throw the food away.
Use by dates tend to appear on chilled foods with a short shelf life. Think of fresh meat, some dairy products and prepared salads. If a product carries a use by date, plan your meals so it gets eaten in time. Writing a quick list on the fridge door can help a busy household keep track.
What a best before date means
Most foods carry a best before date rather than a use by date. This date is about quality, not safety. Food is generally still safe to eat for a while after its best before date, although it may have lost some quality. The Better Health Channel adds that some nutritional value may also decline.
Manufacturers tend to set conservative dates, so a best before date is a guide only. Frozen and canned products tend to keep their quality for some time after the date on the pack. Within reason, food that looks and smells normal should be safe to eat after its best before date. Use your eyes and nose, and if something seems off, leave it.
Shops are allowed to sell food after its best before date, as long as it is still fit for human consumption. That is why you sometimes see discounted items on a clearance shelf. These can be good value for pantry staples you plan to use soon. Check the packaging closely before you buy.
Exceptions you may notice
Not every food carries a use by or best before date. The code allows a few exceptions, and they explain some of the labels you see in the supermarket. Here are the main ones:
- Bread with a shelf life of less than seven days may carry a baked on or baked for date instead.
- Foods with a shelf life of two years or more, such as some canned foods, do not need a best before date.
- Packaged fruit and vegetables do not need a date mark if the packaging does not hide the quality of the produce.
Producers can still choose to add a date to these foods. Food suppliers are responsible for working out the right date mark for each product. State and territory agencies make sure the food laws are followed. So the date on a pack is a decision made by the business that supplies it.
Storage instructions matter as much as the date
A date mark only holds if the food is stored the way the label says. If a product needs particular storage conditions to last until its date, the supplier must say so on the label. A yoghurt that must be kept in the fridge is a common example. Yoghurt is often mentioned among probiotic foods, so it pays to store it well.
Fresh milk shows why this matters. It must be refrigerated or it will sour quickly, even before its best before date. The same goes for many chilled and frozen foods. Follow any use or cooking directions on the label too.
Plant based chilled foods follow the same rules. Soy milk and tofu often sit in the fridge section with a date mark and storage directions on the pack. There is more on these foods in our article on soy in your diet. Read the label each time, as storage directions can differ between products.
Smart habits at the shops
Good food safety starts before the food reaches your kitchen. The Better Health Channel suggests checking packaging for dents, leaks and tears before you buy. Damaged products may be contaminated with bacteria, so leave them on the shelf. It is a quick check that takes a few seconds.
Chilled and frozen foods need some extra thought. Do not buy them if they are sitting on shelves that are not refrigerated, or in fridges that are overfilled. Pick up cold and frozen foods last and carry them home in a cooler bag. When you get home, put them away first.
Making it work for a family kitchen
A family fridge fills up fast, and it is easy for items to get pushed to the back. Try placing foods with the nearest use by date at the front where everyone can see them. Plan one or two meals each week around what needs eating soon. Sitting down to family meals with toddlers is a lovely chance to use up those leftovers together.
Small children cannot read labels, so the job falls to adults. Keep foods that need careful handling out of easy reach, much as you would when making a bathroom child friendly. Teach older children the difference between the two dates as they start to help in the kitchen. It is a simple skill that will serve them for life.
Frequently asked questions
Can I eat food after its best before date?
Generally yes, for a while, as long as it has been stored properly. It may have lost some quality or nutritional value. Check that it looks and smells normal before you eat it.
Can I eat food after its use by date?
No. Food past its use by date should not be eaten, even if it looks and smells okay. It may pose a health risk, which is also why shops cannot sell it.
Why does my bread have a baked on date?
Bread is the only food that can carry a different type of date mark. If its shelf life is under seven days, it may carry a baked on or baked for date. This tells you how fresh the loaf is.
Why do some canned foods have no date?
Foods that keep for two years or more do not need a best before date. It is hard to give an accurate keeping time for these foods. They are usually eaten well before they spoil.
This article is general information only and is not medical advice. If you are unsure whether a food is safe to eat, throw it out, and speak with a doctor if you feel unwell after eating.