Does A "Best Before" Date On A Food Product Mean I Should Not Eat It After That Date?

No. Shops can legally sell products after the displayed "best before" date because these dates are just a guide to quality rather than an indication of whether or not the food is safe. Dried beans and pulses often carry "best before" dates. Try cooking some which have long exceeded the date and you will probably find they take longer to soften than newer beans and have lost flavour. However, they will not harm you or upset your stomach if cooked properly. The same is true of "sell by" and "display until" labels. These are not legally required and foods consumed after these dates which look, smell and taste alright are probably safe. These guide dates are mainly used bu retailer to ensure all the produce on their shelves is at its best. Do obey "use by" dates. These dates are worked out to protect you from foodstuffs which are likely to be a danger to health if eaten when they are past their prime.

The best before date is really an indication of when it should have been sold by. Anything with a best before date can be kept longer and eaten later, providing it is stored in the right conditions. Honey, for example, has a best before date, but never, ever goes bad.