Every year, millions of cans and perfectly good food items get thrown away because people misunderstand one simple label: “Best Before.”

The truth? It’s not an expiration date.
“Best Before” or “Best By” simply means the food is at its peak freshness or flavor before that date — not that it’s unsafe to eat afterward.

If the can is undamaged, not bloated, leaking, or rusted, and the contents look and smell normal, it’s usually still safe. Manufacturers use “Best Before” for quality, not safety.

So next time you see that date, don’t toss it immediately.
Smell it, check it, and use common sense — your wallet (and the planet) will thank you.