Canadians Confuse Best Before and Expiry Dates, Wasting Food

A study by Dalhousie University revealed that Canadian households waste an average of $761 annually due to confusion around best-before and expiration dates, with nearly a third of this waste stemming from misunderstandings about food labeling. While many recognize that expiration dates indicate safety concerns, misconceptions about best-before dates persist, prompting calls for improved consumer education. Experts suggest using sensory evaluations—look, smell, taste—to assess food safety. Despite the confusion, consumers still prefer products with later best-before dates for inventory management, resulting in grocers maintaining these labels.

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