Re: What is the difference between “expiration date” and “best before date”?
'Best Before' date
The “Best Before” form of date mark will be used on most packaged foods. A food marked with a 'Best Before' date can still be sold after that date has expired provided it is safe and suitable for consumption. 'Best Before' would be used for foods including shelf stable foods (eg. biscuits, confectionery, canned foods), frozen foods, most raw foods that will be cooked before eaten (eg. meat, chicken, fish) or foods that will noticeably spoil before becoming a food safety issue (eg. cheddar cheese). Any storage conditions that are necessary to ensure that a food will retain its specific qualities for the period indicated by the date mark, must be declared on the label.
'Use By' date
If a manufacturer or packer believes that for health and safety reasons a food should not be consumed after a certain date, the 'Use By' form of date mark must be used. Foods labeled 'Use By' cannot be sold after the date has expired.
What’s the difference?
If food must not be consumed after a certain date for health and safety reasons, the ‘Use By’ form of date mark must be used. Foods labeled ‘Use By’ cannot be sold after the date has expired. A ‘Best Before’ date would be used for shelf stable foods, dry goods such as biscuits and confectionery, frozen foods, most raw foods that will be cooked before being eaten (eg. meat, chicken, fish) or foods that will noticeably spoil before becoming a safety issue.
Refer attached some useful documents.