Find out why best-before and use-by dates are important
It’s a Date!
Find out why best-before and use-by dates are important
Learn about the difference between best-before and use-by dates and why they're important
Resource
- HWB 1-16a
- HWB 1-33a - I am becoming aware of how cleanliness, hygiene and safety can affect health and wellbeing and I apply this knowledge in my everyday routines such as taking care of my teeth.
- HWB 2-16a
- HWB 2-33a
- we're learning the differences between best-before and use-by dates
- understanding the importance of looking at the label for use by and best before dates
- understanding the difference between best before (taste) and use by (food safety)
- understanding 'use by' is related to bugs and pathogens
Resources
- Food label images (and real examples from home) with best before and use by dates printable on sheets.
- Teacher resource sheet on best before and use by date
Setting up
- print FSS labels worksheet and complete the dates as directed, then photocopy for the class.
- take food labels from home
Children sort the labels by date:
- free sort
- sort by best-before and use-by
Activities
Children sort the labels by date:
- free sort
- sort by best before and use by.
Discuss the differences between foods in each group from sorting exercise:
- why foods have either best-before or use by-dates
- what the implications are for food safety
- why you should plan your weekly meals depending on the use by/best before dates to prevent food waste
Plan a week long menu based on the use by and best before dates using the foods in the labels worksheet.
- which foods should be eaten at which points in the week to provide safe food?
- pupils can design their own weekly menu template
Ordering by dates:
- pupils place food labels in order of dates
Assessment opportunities
DO – I can plan a weekly menu using best before and use by dates
SAY – I can explain the terms best before and use by
SAY – I can explain what happens to food past its best before or use by dates
DO – I can identify the best before and use by dates on food labels
Consider CfE Benchmarks, for example:
- explains the different between use by and best before dates
Cross-curricular links
Literacy – listening & talking
Maths – tallies
ICT – iPad/iMovie
Expressive arts – posters or play or iMovie or advertisement or song or news report.
Differentiation
Support
- introduce best before and use by dates as characters
- simplify dates or use days of week or visual calendar or simply refer to as ‘before’ or ‘after’.
- highlight dates on labels and blank out other distracting information
Challenge
- at home activity:
- note best before and use by dates on food labels at home
- go food shopping with parent or carer
- discuss how best before and use by dates are used when shopping.
- explore best-before and use-by dates in context of food waste and food banks (long-life food)
- class trip to a supermarket to understand best-before and use-by dates
- create a board game using best-before and use-by dates and different types of food