Best Before v Use By dates

Love food, hate waste?

Us too! That’s why we have some top tips and sage advice about how to save yourself some money and avoid throwing away food that can still be used.

Many Kiwis aren’t sure what the dates on food packaging really mean. In fact, 2 in 5 misinterpret at least one of the two main date labels! Some won’t touch food even a day past it’s Best Before, while others are comfortable to trust their senses and eat food well after. That confusion contributes to households tossing out $1,200 worth of good food every year!

Best Before

This indicates quality, not safety. Don’t needlessly throw away good food (and money) so use your senses to check if the food is safe to eat. If it looks ok, smells ok and tastes ok then you can eat it.

You can safely eat food after the ‘Best Before’ date has passed. While the quality may gradually decline, the food is typically still safe to eat, as long as it has been stored properly and shows no signs of spoilage. Check it. Smell it. Taste it.

1 in 8 Kiwis discard food past its Best Before date without even checking, smelling, or tasting it. Your senses are your best food waste-fighting tools. Trust them!

Use By

This indicates safety, not quality. Think of it as a deadline. Foods past this date should not be eaten. Products that have this date include meat, seafood, some ready-to-eat chilled foods and infant formula.

Products with a Use By date are typically perishable and can spoil without showing any obvious signs, posing a potential risk to health if consumed after the date.

Always follow the storage instructions on the packaging such as “eat within three days of opening”. These guidelines are there to help maintain the food's freshness and safety. Proper storage ensures you get the most out of your food and helps prevent waste by keeping it at its best for as long as possible.

Top tips

Using ups old food or leftovers is a great way to save money. But how do you use up those sad-looking leftovers?

Wilted leafy greens and herbs – blitz them into a dressing, mix into soup, or even freeze in oil in an ice cube tray for a flavour bomb at a later date!
Fruit – got an iffy apple or brown banana? Add to smoothies or make a crumble filling.
Stale crackers or cereal – smash them in the blender to make a mac ‘n’ cheese topping, or blitz them into a crunchy topping for chicken or fish.
Mayo and mustard – transform old condiments with vinegar and hey presto, you’ve got yourself a free salad dressing.
One last dollop of yoghurt – stir into creamy dressings or add to home-baking for super moist muffins.

Some simple steps can help you avoid throwing away food that’s still perfectly good. And save you a few dollars!

Register for a home compost workshop

If something is truly gone, think about composting before you chuck it! Register for a free composting workshop in Taupō or Tūrangi to learn how to compost easily at home and be in to win a free home composter or worm farm.

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