In daily life, when we purchase various kinds of food, we often see labels such as "best before" and "use by" printed on the packaging. These labels are of crucial importance for ensuring our food safety and ensuring food quality. However, many people may not be very clear about the difference between the two.
First of all, the "use by" label has a clear time limit meaning. This means that before the marked date, the food is in a safe and suitable state for consumption. Once this date is exceeded, the food may pose a safety risk and should not be consumed anymore. For example, some perishable foods such as fresh milk and cooked food usually have the label "use by". When consumers purchase and consume these foods, they must strictly abide by this date to avoid adverse consequences such as food poisoning caused by eating expired food.
The "best before" label is slightly different. It means that before this date, the quality, taste, and nutritional value of the food are in the best state. But after this date, the food is not necessarily unfit for consumption. It just may decline in quality. For example, some dried foods and canned foods may have the indication of "best before". Even if this date is exceeded, as long as the food shows no signs of spoilage or abnormal smell, it can usually still be consumed, but its taste, flavor, or nutritional content may be weakened.
To better distinguish these two kinds of labels, consumers can adopt the following methods. When purchasing food, carefully check the label instructions on the packaging and pay attention to distinguishing the different expressions of "best before" and "use by". For foods with the "use by" label, pay extra attention to the date and consume them within the specified time. A timetable for food storage and consumption can be established to timely clean up expired food. For foods with the "best before" label, you can decide whether to consume them before the best date according to your own requirements for food quality. If you want to obtain the best taste and nutrition, try to consume them before the marked date; if your requirements for quality are not particularly high, after the best date, as long as there is no sign of spoilage in the food, it can also be consumed appropriately.
In conclusion, correctly distinguishing the labels "best before" and "use by" is of crucial importance for ensuring our food safety and enjoying delicious food. Consumers should enhance their understanding and knowledge of food labels and make wise purchasing and consumption decisions.
