What do the terms “use by” and “best before” on food labels mean?
Use by dates are required by law on foods which go off quickly such as cold cooked meats and poultry, sandwiches, yoghourts, cream, milk, etc. These foods are called perishable and should always be eaten by the use by date because after that time they may become unsafe. They must be stored in the conditions that the manufacturer recommends (e.g. in a fridge) or they may start to become unsafe or deteriorate (go off) before the given date. Best before dates are also required by law and are used for foods which can safely be kept for longer periods of time. After the date, the food may still be safe to eat but it may no longer be at its best. Some foods may be marked with a display until date. This is not a legal requirement but is an instruction for the shop to ensure the food is sold well before it is out of date.
