What do best before dates mean?

Have you ever wondered if it is safe to consume a can of drink after the ‘Best Before’ (BB) date has expired? It is a common question that stems from the misconception that this date indicates a strict expiry date. However, this is not true.

But what exactly is a BB date? The BB date is a guideline rather than a fixed expiry date. This is because it indicates until when the manufacturer guarantees the optimal quality of a product. Manufacturers are in fact required by the European Union to put a date on their products. This can therefore be a “Best before” (BB) date, or a “Use by” (UBD) date.

However, there are no regulations on how the date should be determined. Soft drink manufacturers therefore also use different standards. For instance, one manufacturer may put a 6-month date on their product, while another manufacturer with an equivalent product may put a 24-month date on their product. All in all, the printed dates therefore only provide a guarantee for the manufacturer, but not an indication of whether a can of soft drink can still be consumed.

Products from outside the EU

Products imported from outside the European Union may face different legislation in the country of origin, but must also comply with European Union legislation. For this reason, the importer or seller of these products is allowed to put a date on the packaging so that the product complies with European Union requirements. For example, producers from China print the production date on their products and US products have an “optimal use date” pasted on them.

Canned soft drinks

Canned packaging is meant to act as a strong enclosure for the contents. This is because it protects the drink from both light and air, two factors that affect the shelf life of drinks. As long as the can is undamaged, it remains a protective environment for the contents, and is fine for consumption.

With carbonated drinks, the freshness may diminish slightly over time, but this does not necessarily affect the safety or taste of the product. A simple bubble test when opening the can can show whether the drink still has the desired amount of sparkle.

So why all this? Avoiding food waste is not only a personal gain, but also a contribution to the wider effort to be more sustainable with our food. So, before you consider that can as lost, consider considering the BB date as a possibility, not a hard rule. You might be surprised at the still perfectly drinkable options beyond the indicated date.

By being aware of the small differences of BB dating and challenging our perception of food waste, we can change our habits and contribute to a more sustainable world where less is wasted. Drink your can with confidence, reduce waste and enjoy the taste of options.