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Waste Not Want Not - Best before and Use by dates

BEST BEFORE DATES
& USE BY DATES
 


I really wanted an egg salad wrap when I got home from work last night. When I went to get the egg box from the fridge, I noticed the Best before date was for 2 days earlier.  Not the best planning for my aim of reducing food waste. 
 
 
First thing I did was check to see if they were still good to eat.  I filled a jug full of cold water, then placed the egg in. 
 
 
Sinks:  If the Egg sinks and lays on the bottom of the just its still okay to eat
 
Half & Half:  If one end of the egg tilts slightly upwards, it's not at its peak for taste.  However its still safe to eat if cook thoroughly. 
 
Floats:  If the egg floats, or eggs up pointing totally vertically upwards.  Not Safe to eat.


 
Eggs can be eaten after their "best before" date as long as they are cooked thoroughly until both yolk and white are solid, or if they are used in dishes where they will be fully cooked such as a cake.
 
 
Checking Eggs are still good - To check eggs click on this link.  This is how I check my eggs are still okay to eat. 

 
It reminded me that date labelling on food products can be really confusing.  However been label savvy is a great way to reduce your food waste.  Too many people throw out food that is still perfectly safe to eat. 
 
 
Use by and best before date are 2 different things.
 
Use by:
 
Is used on foods that go off quickly and where it can prove dangerous to your heath if eaten after the used by date. 
 
If you buy anything with a same day use by date, check to see if it can be frozen.  Also how long it can be frozen for. 
 
Always follow the packaging advise on storage and cooking guidelines. 
 
Food poisoning is not fun!!!!  Been there, done that....  Now left with IBS & food intolerances

 :- Following a Waste Not, Want Not principle is not worth putting your health at risk. 
 
 
 
Best before Date:
 
Refers to quality rather than safety. The food will no longer be at its best for taste.  There found on a wide range of foods from Frozen food, dried food, tinned food and packaged foods. 
 
 
Display until or sell by dates:
 
Ignore these dates and look for either the Best before or use by date.  Display or sell by dates are instructions for shop staff only. 
 
 
Waste Not, want not
 
One of the best ways of reducing food waste is to follow the storage information on the packaging. 
 
Also Copy the supermarkets own trick of stock rotation.  The items in your fridge or store cupboards with the longest best before or use by date, should be kept at the back of the shelves.  While the items with the closest date are kept at the front.

Top Tip:
 
If I want to buy my favourite dairy free yogurt or hummus, I always check the back of the shelf for the one with the longest date.  Iv been caught to many times paying full price for a product only to find I need to Use it by the next day. 
 
 


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