Use By and Best Before

The facts behind the date labels from the Food Standards Agency.

  • 'Use by'

    'Use by': Never eat products after this date, and follow the storage instructions. However, check to see if the food can be frozen if you need to eat it at a later date. Visit the Food Standards Agency website for more information about food dates at http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/foodlabels/labellingterms/

  • 'Best Before'

    'Best before': These dates refer to quality rather than food safety. Foods with a best before date should be safe to eat after the 'best before' date, but they may no longer be at their best. One exception is eggs - never eat eggs after the 'best before' date. Visit the Food Standards Agency website for more information about food dates at http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/foodlabels/labellingterms/

  • Display Until & Sell By

    Date marks such as 'display until' or 'sell by' often appear near or next to the 'best before' or 'use by' date. They are used by some shops to help with stock control and are instructions for shop staff, not shoppers. http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/foodlabels/labellingterms/

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