As grocery prices remain high, an increasing number of shoppers are buying food past its best-before date to save money, according to food rescue organizations and industry experts. While many consumers confuse these dates with strict expiration guidelines, food policy authorities emphasize that best-before labels indicate quality rather than safety, keeping edible items out of landfills.
Understanding Best-Before Dates Versus Expiration Dates
According to Emily Browning, senior operations manager for Atlantic Canada with Second Harvest, best-before dates are frequently misconstrued with expiration dates. Browning states that “best before” does not mean “bad after.” Legally, only products with a shelf-life of 90 days or less are required to carry a best-before date in Canada, according to Second Harvest.
Date coding applied by food producers often results in perfectly edible food landing in the trash. Second Harvest data shows that nearly a quarter of avoidable food waste in Canada—approximately $12.4 billion worth of safe food annually—is driven by standard date-coding practices.
The Rise of Discount Grocers and Food Waste Apps
To combat high food costs, shoppers are increasingly turning to discount grocery retailers and surplus food apps. Sylvain Charlebois, director of the Agri-Food and Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University in Halifax, notes that discount grocers and platforms like Flashfood, Too Good To Go, and FoodHero often offer surplus food at rebates ranging between 40 and 80 per cent.
“Are Canadians trading down when it comes to food? Absolutely. But most of the time it’s by necessity,” Charlebois said. However, Charlebois warns that a potential downside to this trend involves food banks, which may need to purchase more stock as corporate donations of items nearing their best-before dates decrease.
Pro Tips for Consuming Food Past Best-Before Dates
- Check for visible signs of decay or temperature abuse before consuming items past their date.
- Ground meat should generally be eaten by its best-before date unless frozen immediately.
- Meats like lamb, pork, and whole poultry can remain safely frozen for up to a year beyond their best-before date, according to Second Harvest guidelines developed with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Safe Storage and Food Rescue Operations
Organizations like Second Harvest work across the supply chain—partnering with farmers, producers, and retailers—to rescue surplus food. On Prince Edward Island alone, the organization supplies rescued food to 40 food banks and non-profits, ensuring items have not suffered temperature abuse and show no visible decay.
To help consumers navigate food safety at home, Second Harvest relies on a specialized timetable developed alongside the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. This reference tool guides consumers on how long specific foods remain safe to eat or freeze after the printed date has passed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a best-before date mean food is unsafe to eat?
No. According to Second Harvest, best-before dates relate strictly to food quality, taste, and nutritional value, not safety. Food can often be consumed safely well past this date if stored correctly.
Which products legally require a best-before date?
In Canada, best-before dates are legally required only on prepackaged products that have a shelf-life of 90 days or less.
Can meat be eaten past its best-before date?
Ground meat should be eaten or frozen by its best-before date. However, cuts like pork, lamb, and whole poultry can be stored safely in the freezer for up to a year past the date, according to Second Harvest and Canadian Food Inspection Agency guidelines.
Did You Know?
Nearly 25% of all avoidable food waste in Canada is driven by date-coding practices, accounting for roughly $12.4 billion in edible food discarded every year.
Have you tried buying discounted surplus food or using food rescue apps to lower your grocery bill? Share your experiences in the comments below, or subscribe to our newsletter for more updates on sustainable food practices.
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