Too Good To Go Blog

BUTTER IN THE FRIDGE TOO LONG? NO WORRIES! HOW TO ENJOY BUTTER PAST ITS BEST BEFORE DATE

BEST IF USED BY DATES: WHAT DO THEY REALLY MEAN?

When you see a Best Before date on your butter, it might make you think it’s no longer safe to use after that date. However, Best Before dates are about food quality, not safety. These dates indicate how long the product will be at its peak flavor and texture. Unlike Use By or Expiry dates, which are related to safety, Best Before dates refer to quality and allow some flexibility.

CAN YOU STILL ENJOY BUTTER PAST ITS BEST BEFORE DATE?

Yes, butter can be safely used past its Best Before date if it has been stored properly. Storing butter in the fridge, unopened, will extend its freshness. To prolong the life of your butter you can freeze unopened butter prior to it's Best Before date. Frozen salted butter will keep for up to 1 year and frozen unsalted butter will keep for up to 3 months (Canada, 2024).

TRUST YOUR SENSES: LOOK, SMELL, AND TASTE BEFORE YOU WASTE

To check if your butter is still good, trust your senses. Look at it: if you notice any mold or discoloration, it's best to throw it out. Next, smell it. Fresh butter has a mild, creamy scent. If it smells sour or rancid, it’s time to discard it. Finally, taste a small piece. If you still like the taste, it’s good to use!

REDUCE FOOD WASTE AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Understanding Best Before dates can help avoid unnecessary wastage. 40% of Canadians say they throw out food past the Best Before date at least once a week, (Léger, 2023). Since Best Before dates are just freshness indicators, we encourage you to trust your senses before throwing away perfectly good food. By reducing food waste, you not only save money by making the most of what you buy but also help avoid CO2e emissions and the unnecessary use of valuable resources like water and land. Every small action counts in our collective efforts to help save the planet.

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR BUTTER

To extend the life of your butter, consider freezing it or using it in cooking or baking to prevent waste. Discover more food-saving hacks, recipes, and tips on our Social media.