/ 21 September 2023

Best before versus use by: understanding food safety labels

Spar Group Ltd. Supermarket As South African Consumer Confidence Hits Historic Low
The “Use by date” indicates the end of the estimated period for the product’s best quality, after which the product may lose some of its quality attributes. (Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Confusion over sell-by, use-by, best before and expiry dates among consumers drives food waste

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