What is the difference between ?expiration date? and ?best before date??

  • Thread starter Polly Pure Bread
  • Start date
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Polly Pure Bread

#1
What is the difference between “expiration date” and “best before date”?

Here is my answer:

Expiration date: the product is not safe to eat.
Best after date: can be eaten even after that date but another question is “how long is it ok to eat?”

If my definition is correct why not the standard requires use of expiration date instead of best before date?

I will appreciate your thoughts.
 
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Ajit Basrur

Staff member
Admin
#2
Re: What is the difference between “expiration date” and “best before date”?

Here is my answer:

Expiration date: the product is not safe to eat.
Best after date: can be eaten even after that date but another question is “how long is it ok to eat?”

If my definition is correct why not the standard requires use of expiration date instead of best before date?

I will appreciate your thoughts.

Your definition is correct - I am not sure which "standard" you always quote ! One example is from UK Govt that says -

Best Before Dates

This may take the form of the words 'best before' followed by the date, e.g. 'best before' 1 January 2003. The date marks on longer-life food may use the phrase 'best before end' followed by a date, e.g. 'best before' end March 2003. This is the date up to and including which the food can be expected to remain at peak quality if properly stored. Food may be edible after this date; however its quality may suffer, e.g. potato crisps might become soft.

It is not an offence under the Food Labelling Regulations to sell food passed it's 'best before' date; however an offence may have been committed under Section 14 of the Food Safety Act 1990 as the food may not be of the 'quality demanded by the purchaser'. The retailer is responsible for ensuring that food sold has not deteriorated beyond the point acceptable to the consumer. It is a criminal offence to sell food not of the 'quality demanded'.

Use By Dates

This consists of the words 'use by' followed by the date, e.g. 'use by' 5 April 2003. The 'use by' date is used for foods which are highly perishable and can, after a short period, cause an immediate health risk; examples are meat pies and some ready prepared meals. These foods could become a health risk if used after the 'use by' date. It clearly instructs consumers as to the date a product should be used by. Some foods, such as bread, are highly perishable but do not carry the immediate risk and are therefore labelled with a 'best before date'.

It is a criminal offence to sell, or have on your premises exposed for sale, under the Food Labelling Regulations, any product that has gone beyond its 'use by' date. Any product passed its 'use by' date must be removed from sale.

Some of these food labels are also explained on this Australian website

Take a look at this Canadian website

Hope this clarifies :)
 

bio_subbu

Super Moderator
#3
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.
 

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Bill Pflanz

#4
Re: What is the difference between “expiration date” and “best before date”?

My definition is when my wife throws it out it is expired. Explaining the standards is not a wise thing to do after 33 years of marriage.

Bill Pflanz
 

harry

Super Moderator
#5
Re: What is the difference between “expiration date” and “best before date”?

Another write-up: -dead link removed-
 
Last edited:
A

ariaswan

#6
The expiration date that appears on packaged food is confusing to some people, largely as a result of words used, such as ?Best Before,? ?Sell By? or ?Use By.? Is food still safe to eat on that date, or slightly after that date? Let's think about saving cash by understanding what that expiration date indicates.
 
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