10 foods you can safely eat past their best before date

Dry pasta and rice – If stored in air-tight containers once opened to extend their shelf life, rice and pasta can be eaten up to 12-24 months after the best before date, BBC Good Food revealed. White rice, on the other hand, is refined, so the preservatives mean it’s unlikely to decay if kept in an airtight container. The natural crystallisation of starch in rice can lead to a stale taste over the years, but it’s safe to eat. Brown rice doesn’t keep as long as white rice. It can become oily and smell bad when the fat reacts with the air.

Canned food – According to BBC Good Food, canned soups and vegetables can last 12-24 months. “Once the best-before date is reached the quality may reduce but the food will still be edible,” they explained. Fun fact! Back in 1974, canned food found in the wreck of a boat that sank in 1865 was tested and although the food content had deteriorated in appearance, scientists said it was still safe to eat. 

Sauces and vinegar – “Vinegar is used as a natural preservative, so you can ignore that best before date,” Too Good To Go suggests. Soy sauce, on the other hand, is full of salt which is a natural preservative. If kept sealed, it should be fine years after the best before date.