By Ellen Lakusiak
Welcome to week 3 of MLPFC’s Food Waste Challenge (April 18-24, 2025).
We could avoid so much wasted food by knowing when food can be saved. This will also save you money.
Your challenge this week: Pick something nearing (or just past) its best before date and use it — OR try out a food rescue app!
1. Know the Difference Between “Best Before” and “Expiry”
Most packaged foods have a “best before date” on the container or wrapping. This is NOT an “expiry” date. All foods with a shelf life of 90 days or less, except for fresh fruit and vegetables and certain other products, are required to have either a best before date or packaged on date, depending on where they are packaged and sold.
Best Before Dates: Tells you how long a properly stored unopened food product will keep its:
- freshness
- taste
- nutritional value
- any other qualities claimed by the manufacturer
Most foods are still edible past their best before date—just check the smell, taste, and look. Foods can be edible after the best before date has passed. Always use your senses (check smell, taste, color) to check the food quality if it is past the best before date.
Tip: Check out the Consumer Best Before Timetable by Second Harvest to learn more. Learn more
Expiry Dates
- Only five types of foods should not be consumed past the expiry date: infant formula, meal replacements, formulated liquid diets (medical), very low-energy foods (medical), and nutritional supplements
- After the expiration date, the food may not have the same nutrient content as declared on the label. It should be discarded if the expiry date has passed.
Refer to this handy guide called Consumer Best Before Timetable by Second Harvest for more information about the timelines that fresh foods can be safely eaten.
2. Wrap Smarter, Waste Less
I use beeswax wrap instead of plastic to cover or store foods like cut onions or other vegetables and fruit. They seem to stay fresh longer and are environmentally friendly.
3. Shop in the Morning for Bargain Finds
Shop early mornings to get reduced prices on fresh meats and other items close to or on the “best before” date. If you can’t use it right away, freeze it to use later.
4. Rescue Dairy Products
Milk is one of the most commonly wasted foods in Canada. I use yogurt or milk past the best before date to make pancakes, muffins or quick breads.
5. Freeze Leftover Sauces and Spreads
Leftover bottles or containers of sauces or spreads can be frozen.
6. Rescue Veggies with a batch of soup
I use ready to go veggies to make soup and then freeze it.
7. Label Leftovers Clearly
Label everything well so you know what is in the container of leftovers.
8. Stock Up on Frozen Produce
Buy frozen vegetables and fruit year-round; less expensive and always fresh!
9. Use Food Rescue Apps
Tech to the rescue! These apps connect you with discounted or surplus food from local stores and restaurants:
