Write the Use-By Date When You Open Food

How to do it

1. When you open the package, read the small note: for example, "use within 3 days after opening".
2. Calculate the exact date.
3. Write it on the lid, jar, carton, or wrapper with a waterproof marker, chalk marker, or small label.
4. Put the item back so the date is visible when you open the fridge.

Ingredients

• Waterproof marker, chalk marker, or small label
• Optional: tape for dark or damp packaging
• 10 seconds of attention when opening the item

Why it helps

Many foods have two dates: the regular best-before date and the much more relevant deadline after opening. That second deadline is easy to forget because it is usually hidden in tiny print. A visible date on the package turns it into an instant decision.

Good to know

The written date is a guide, not a safety guarantee. If food smells wrong, shows mould, has a swollen package, or was not kept cold properly, trust the condition of the food over your note. When in doubt, throw it out.