Too Good To Go BlogTIME TO GET BAKING! HOW TO ENJOY FLOUR PAST ITS BEST BEFORE DATE

BEST BEFORE DATES: WHAT DO THEY REALLY MEAN?

When you see a Best Before date on your bag of flour, 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 flavour and texture. Unlike Expiration dates, which are related to safety, Best Before dates refer to quality and allow some flexibility.

CAN YOU STILL ENJOY FLOUR PAST ITS BEST BEFORE DATE?

The short answer is yes! Flour can be safely used after its Best Before date if stored correctly. Be sure to store unopened flour in a cool, dry place, and once opened, keep it in an airtight container to enjoy for several months. Whole wheat or nut flours, which contain more natural oils, tend to spoil faster than white flour, so it’s important to store them properly.

TRUST YOUR SENSES BEFORE YOU WASTE

To determine if your flour is still good, trust your senses. Start by looking at it—if you see clumps or signs of pests, it’s time to discard it. Next, smell the flour. Fresh flour should have a neutral, slightly sweet aroma. If it smells musty, sour, or off, it’s best to throw it away. Skip the "taste" step, since flour is a raw product and is not meant to be tasted before cooking.

If you’re still unsure whether your flour is okay after looking and smelling it, it’s safest to replace it with fresh flour.

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 FLOUR

To extend the life of your flour, store it in an airtight container, or freeze it for long-term use. Got too much flour? Use it to make homemade bread, cookies or pizza dough. Discover more food-saving hacks, recipes, and tips on our Instagram.

JOIN OUR MISSION

Look for our 'Look-Smell-Taste' label on flour and other Best Before products in your local supermarket. This label reminds you that many foods, including flour, 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.