Best before dates are intended to tell consumers when food is at its peak freshness and quality. However, many people often mistake best before dates for expiration dates, leading them to throw out perfectly good food. In addition, best before dates can be confusing and difficult to interpret. For example, does best before mean the food will go bad after that date or simply that it won’t be as fresh? To avoid confusion and reduce food waste, some experts believe we should eliminate best before dates from food packaging. While this may seem like a small change, it could have a big impact on the way we think about food and its shelf life.
“32% of Canadians say they strongly oppose removing the date labels”
Would you toss a container of yogurt after its “best before” date passes? It IS after all, healthy bacteria in there! Or are you the type to keep eating until the smell, texture and taste tell you to stop? Some sensitive Canadians are against eliminating “best before” dates on food packaging in a push to reduce food waste, according to a joint report from the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University and the Angus Reid Institute, released Thursday. Thirty per cent of Canadians say that they oppose doing so, and even more — 32 per cent — say they strongly oppose it. Though 27 per cent said they would strongly support or support eliminating those date labels.
