The Two Types of Food Dates
Most food waste happens because people misunderstand date labels. There are two completely different types, and confusing them costs families hundreds of dollars every year.
"Use By" — About Safety
"Use by" dates are about food safety. After this date, food may be unsafe to eat even if it looks and smells fine. This applies to:
- Fresh meat and poultry
- Fresh fish and seafood
- Ready-to-eat meals
- Some dairy products
Do not eat food past its "use by" date. When in doubt, throw it out.
"Best Before" — About Quality
"Best before" dates are about quality, not safety. The food might not taste as fresh or look as perfect after this date, but it's usually still safe if stored properly. This applies to:
- Canned goods
- Pasta and rice
- Cereals and biscuits
- Frozen foods
- Some cheeses
- Many pantry staples
You can usually eat food past its "best before" date if it looks, smells, and tastes fine.
How FreshGuard Helps
FreshGuard lets you choose which type each item has — you're always in control. When you add an item, select "Use by" for safety-critical items or "Best before" for quality items. You'll get different types of reminders for each.
Common Food Waste Myths
Myth: "If it's past the date, throw it away."
Truth: Only "use by" items need to be discarded. "Best before" items are often fine.
Myth: "Smell it to see if it's bad."
Truth: You can't smell bacteria that cause food poisoning. When it comes to "use by" items, don't risk it.
Start Saving Today
Go through your pantry and fridge today. Separate "use by" items from "best before" items. Use FreshGuard to track them both — you'll be surprised how much food you save.
The label is not always about safety. "Use by" usually marks the last date a perishable food is safe to eat, while "best before" is about quality rather than safety. Eggs, flour, and dry goods often stay usable after their best-before date. Use your senses and official storage guidance, and never rely on a date alone for meat, fish, or ready-to-eat foods.
Practical checklist
- Check the fridge and pantry before you shop.
- Keep older items at the front and newer ones behind.
- Label leftovers with the date they were cooked.
- Plan two "use it up" meals each week.
- Track what you throw away for one week to spot patterns.
How FreshGuard helps
FreshGuard is our privacy-first food inventory app. It keeps your stock on your device, sends expiry reminders, scans barcodes, and suggests recipes from what you already have. No account and no cloud sync are required.