It is not uncommon for food that is still edible to end up in the bin because it has reached its best-before date, as the date on the packaging causes uncertainty for many people. However, the best-before date does not necessarily mean discard date. In fact, the shelf life of many foods extends well beyond the recommended date. So you can often enjoy yoghurt, muesli and the like for much longer without hesitation.
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To clarify this topic a little, we have compiled the most important information for you. Find out how to tell whether food is still safe to eat.
What is the best-before date?
The best-before date (BBD) is a label on packaged foods required by EU law. It provides information about how long a food will retain its characteristic properties when stored correctly. These include, for example, the freshness, taste, color or smell of the food.
Usually, however, food is still edible after the BBD has been reached.
This is what distinguishes it from the use-by date. This form of labeling can be found on highly perishable foods that can pose a health risk. These include, for example, raw meat. You should no longer consume products that have a use-by date after this date
In accordance with the EU Food Information Regulation, the best-before date is set by the food manufacturers themselves. After all, they know the nature of their products best, and by using a variety of quality tests, they are able to determine the shelf life of the food very accurately.
Best-before date reached – and now?
If a food product has reached its best-before date, that doesn't automatically mean that it can no longer be consumed. In fact, many products can still be enjoyed well after this date. However, it's not possible to say in general how long you can still eat “expired” food, because it depends on the product itself and on how it is stored.
To see if a food is still safe to eat, first check whether the packaging is damaged. If it is, germs and bacteria will have an easier time contaminating your food and shortening its shelf life.
If the packaging is okay, the next step is to test it using your senses: sight, smell, and taste. Has the color of the food changed? Does it smell unusual? Are the taste or consistency different from what you are used to? If so, you should not eat the product and should dispose of it instead.
How long is food actually fit for consumption?
Depending on what kind of food it is, you can usually enjoy it for a few more days, weeks or even months after the best-before date.
This also applies, for example, to your breakfast favorites from VERIVAL. Regardless of whether it is our porridges, mueslis or crunchies, you can enjoy them all for several weeks after the best-before date printed on the packaging has passed.
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The following table is intended to give you a rough overview of how long various foods can be enjoyed:
| Food | Edibility according to best before date | Disposal at.. |
| Flour, oatmeal | several weeks to months | unusual odor, pest infestation |
| Pasta, rice | several years | sour smell after cooking |
| Yogurt | several weeks | bad taste, mold |
| Butter | several weeks to months | rancid taste |
| Eggs | approx. 2-3 weeks | foul odor |
| Fruit juices | unopened several weeks to months | Fermentation or mold |
| Vinegar and oil | several months | Turbidity |
| Meat, fish | Adhere to the use-by date | Exceeding the use-by date |
The following applies to all food: trust your senses and if in doubt, throw the products away.
Tips for extending the shelf life of food
To help you keep your food for as long as possible and avoid wasting products, we have a few final tips for you:
Shelf life begins with shopping
The journey from the supermarket to your home can be crucial for how long food stays fresh. For food that needs to be refrigerated, it is important not to interrupt the cold chain. So, get it home from the supermarket as quickly as possible.
Especially in summer, it is advisable to have a cool bag with you because a warm car can interrupt the cold chain.
The right storage
If you store food properly, you can also help to extend its shelf life. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions when it comes to the storage of food. Dairy products, meat and cheese definitely belong in the refrigerator. This also applies to opened juices, sauces or jams.
Flour, sugar, oats, coffee, tea or spices should be stored in a dry place. The breakfast products from VERIVAL also have the longest shelf life if you store them in a dry place and protected from the sun.
Fruit and vegetable varieties such as potatoes, apples, carrots or onions should be stored in a cool, dry place, such as in the cellar or in the pantry.
In addition, the packaging should be removed, because condensation can quickly form, especially in plastic, which can lead to the formation of germs and mold or cause the fresh food to rot more quickly.
Fruit and vegetables in particular can be creatively and deliciously used in your breakfast if you don't manage to eat the vitamin suppliers fresh. For example, you can mix fruit with a few brown spots or carrots and courgettes that are no longer so crunchy into your breakfast porridge and you don't have to throw anything away.
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Why not try our Carrot Cake Porridge, for example, or get inspiration from other recipes on our blog.
Smoothies and smoothie bowls are also a great way to use up food that is no longer quite so fresh.
Hygiene measures for extending the shelf life of food
Clean your fridge regularly to minimize the spread of germs. To keep harmful chemicals in cleaning products away from your food, you can use a homemade vinegar-based cleaner. To do this, mix vinegar with water in a 1:2 ratio (1 part vinegar: 2 parts water).
Then wipe all surfaces again with clean water before putting your food back in the fridge.
