A new survey by the Agri-Food Analytics Lab suggests more Canadians are willing to take the gamble on best-before dates and risk being struck with a foodborne illness.
Experts say it’s likely in response to the high price of groceries.
Janet Music, research program coordinator at the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University, says Canada has five categories for product expiry: one is baby food and the other four have to do with meal replacement. Food is probably at top quality when it’s consumed before the expiry date but just because it has been eaten, that doesn’t mean it will make you sick.
Music says, though, at some point, some items will go bad whether it’s on the shelf or in the fridge. She adds that it’s a good idea to be educated about food safety.