North York Central Library Blog

Do you know the difference between the best
before date and expiration date label? I’ve always
thought they were the same thing. But according to the Canadian Food Inspection
Agency,
you can still buy and consume foods that have passed the “best before” date.
However, the food may have lost its freshness, flavour, texture and nutritional
value. This applies to unopened products only. On the other hand, food should
not be eaten if the expiration date has passed. These items should be
discarded.

Food labels contain a lot of information. However, often
times consumers, like myself, do not understand it. The Government of Canada
has a great Food Safety website that can help decipher food labels. Understanding the nutrition
information on products is especially important for making better food choices
for you and your family. It is essential for those who have special diets.

However, it is common for companies to provide incorrect
or misleading information on their products. The Toronto Star reported that usually when a product tries to convince you that it is healthy
by using terms like “low in fat” or “no sugar added” it is usually not. In
addition, the CBC found 10 products with misleading food labels.

With all the confusing labels on food products, it is
best to know what to look for and understand how to read the nutrition
information correctly.

Here are some books on understanding food labels:

The library also has a great collection of books on nutrition:

So, remember to read the labels on food products carefully next time. But don't believe everything you read!