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The expiration date is undoubtedly the most important information for consumers when purchasing food. Consumers want to finish their food before the expiration date to avoid waste. According to the Hong Kong Centre for Food Safety, products must be labeled to indicate how long they can be stored before they begin to deteriorate or become inedible.
Different wording on labels represents different meanings. "Use By" refers to food safety, while "Best Before" relates to food quality rather than safety. In simple terms, merchants recommend that consumers consume the product by a certain date for best quality. Even if the date has passed, it is about a decline in food quality, not necessarily a reason to throw it away. Therefore, it is legal to sell snacks in Hong Kong that are past their "Best Before" date.
For perishable foods like meat and seafood, there will be a "Use By" date, which must be consumed by that date. Eating these foods after the expiration date poses health risks. Consuming them can easily lead to gastrointestinal discomfort, such as vomiting and diarrhea. In some cases, severe food poisoning may cause more serious physical reactions, including fever and muscle aches.
We have a responsibility to monitor the freshness, texture, and taste of products to make the best use of our resources. By carefully observing the actual condition of food, rather than solely relying on label dates, we can personally assess the quality of products and discover foods that are past their date but still edible, thereby reducing unnecessary waste while safeguarding our health.
Let’s take care of our bodies and reduce daily waste in Hong Kong!
(Part of the reference material is from GreenPrice, a social enterprise in Hong Kong that promotes "surplus" and "near-expiry" products.)
Or visit ECfood’s waste-saving online store at https://www.yindii.co(app).
