Too Good To Go BlogMilk: keep it fresh! How to enjoy milk past its best before date

Best before dates: what do they really mean?

When you see a Best Before date on your favourite milk, it might make you think it's no longer safe to eat 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 flavour and texture. Unlike the Use By or Expiry dates, which are related to safety, Best Before dates refer to quality and allow some flexibility.

Can you still enjoy milk after its best before date?

Milk can often be enjoyed past its Best Before date if stored properly. Keep your milk in the refrigerator at the right temperature to ensure it stays fresh longer.

Check your milk: look, smell and taste

Wondering if your milk is still good? Trust your senses. First, look at the milk. If it appears lumpy or has an unusual colour, it’s better to discard it. If it looks normal however, give it a smell. Fresh milk should have a mild, pleasant aroma. Finally, taste a small amount. If you still like the taste, go ahead and enjoy it.

Reduce food waste and make a difference

Understanding Best Before dates can help avoid unnecessary wastage. The UK wastes 3.1 millions glasses of milk every day, (WRAP, 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 milk

To extend the life of your milk, try freezing it or turning it into tasty milkshakes or puddings. Find more food-saving hacks, recipes, and tips on our social media.

Join our mission

Look for our 'Look-Smell-Taste' label on milk and other Best Before products in your local supermarket. This label reminds you that many foods, including milk, are still good after their Best Before date.

If you work at a company that would be interested in joining our mission to reduce food waste, visit tgtg-label.com.

Together, we can make a positive impact on the planet, one glass at a time.