The best before date (BBD) is not an expiry date.

We're all familiar with it. Almost every product has a "best before" date printed on it. But what exactly does it tell us? Are foods still edible after the "best before" date, and is there also an expiration date?

MHD: Meaning and Definition

The best-before date (BBD) is a quality date set by manufacturers. It must be indicated on all products (with few exceptions). The BBD signifies that all product-specific characteristics, such as appearance, smell, and consistency, as well as microbiological properties, will remain the same until this date.

Best before date for food

Depending on the product, food items are often still edible for days, weeks, or even months beyond their best-before date. Greenpeace has conducted extensive tests to determine exactly how long these items remain edible. The test reveals how long cheese, eggs, tofu, and other foods keep beyond their best-before date.

SIRPLUS Tip: At SIRPLUS, we like to say: "Look, smell, taste, instead of just checking the best-before date." If we use our senses, we can usually tell quite well whether food is still edible or not.

Laws regarding the best-before date

Did you know that the "best before" date has only existed in Germany since 1981? Today, the "best before" date must be printed on almost all food products. A few exceptions apply, for example, to table salt, vinegar, high-proof alcohol (more than 10% alcohol by volume) or wine, solid sugar, chewing gum, fresh fruit and vegetables, and certain baked goods.

The best-before date is a recurring reason for food waste at many points in the value chain and also in our homes. In private households, this is because many people still interpret the best-before date as a throwaway date.

Use-by date: What does “use by” mean?

In addition to the best-before date, there is also the use-by date. This is to be understood as an expiration date and is indicated with the phrase "use by...".

Use-by date on food

Only highly perishable products, such as minced meat, poultry, raw milk, or pre-packaged salads, have a use-by date. Food past its use-by date should no longer be consumed.

The difference between best before date and use-by date

The difference between the best-before date and the use-by date is also extremely important when it comes to food distribution. Distributing or selling food that has passed its best-before date is legal. The prerequisite for distribution is that buyers must not be misled. This means they must be informed that the food has passed its best-before date. Furthermore, the food must be checked for edibility and safety. The situation is different with the use-by date: food with an expired use-by date may not be distributed.

This confirms it: If you're informed and trust your senses, you don't need to worry about products past their best-before date. You can find more information about the best-before date vs. expiration date here .