A Must-Read for Indian Students, Families & Professionals | ScottishIndian.com
If you’ve ever stared at an expiry date on your curry paste or yogurt tub wondering, “Is this still okay to eat?” — you’re not alone. As Indian students, professionals, and families living in the UK, navigating new food systems, unfamiliar groceries, and confusing date labels is just part of the journey.
At ScottishIndian.com, we help you adapt to UK life in the smartest, most sustainable way. So today, let’s decode what those food date labels really mean — and how to avoid wasting perfectly good food (and money!).
📅 “Use By” vs “Best Before” – What’s the Difference?
The UK has two main types of date labels — and confusing them leads to tons of unnecessary food waste.
🛑 “Use By” = Safety First
If something says “Use By”, you should not eat it after this date, even if it looks or smells fine.
Examples: Fresh meat, fish, milk, chilled ready meals.
Why? These foods can grow bacteria even if they don’t look spoiled.
🧠 ScottishIndian Tip: If your milk expires today, use it today — or freeze it before the date!
👍 “Best Before” = Quality, Not Safety
This means the food is at its best taste and texture until that date — but still safe to eat after.
Examples: Biscuits, dry pasta, rice, spices, canned goods.
That Biryani Masala with a best-before date from two months ago? It’s probably fine.
💡 Always look, smell, and taste — trust your senses.
🥘 Why Use By vs Best Before Matters for Desis in UK
We get it — many of us grew up in homes where “expiry dates” weren’t a thing. Our moms would just sniff and say, “This is fine.” In the UK, though, with new brands and stricter packaging rules, it’s easy to overreact and bin food that’s still safe.
Add to that the budget struggles of international students and rising grocery prices, and food waste becomes a real issue — financially and environmentally.
🌱 Reducing Waste = Saving Rupees (and the Planet)
According to WRAP UK, households throw away nearly 6.6 million tonnes of food every year — much of it still edible. That’s money down the drain.
Here’s how you can help:
- Learn the label lingo (you’ve already started!)
- Freeze food before the “use by” date
- Organise your fridge — oldest items in the front
- Don’t bulk-buy perishables if you can’t finish them
- Use apps like Too Good To Go to rescue food at discounts!
💬 Final Thoughts about Use By vs Best Before from ScottishIndian.com
Being smart about food dates isn’t just about saving pennies — it’s a life skill, especially when adjusting to life in a new country. For Indians living in the UK, food is a huge part of our identity — and now, it’s also a space where we can make more sustainable and informed choices.
At ScottishIndian.com, we’re here to help you thrive — culturally, financially, and consciously.
📩 Want more kitchen hacks, desi grocery tips, and UK life guides?
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