“Use by” — a safety limit
Under EU Regulation 1169/2011, highly perishable foods carry a use by date. EFSA is unambiguous: after this date the food should not be eaten, cooked, or frozen, even if it looks and smells acceptable. The hazards involved (such as listeria) produce no warning signs. You may freeze the food up to and including the use-by date, which pauses the clock — then use it promptly after thawing.
“Best before” — a quality indication
Foods that keep longer carry a best before (or “best before end”) date. After it, the food may lose flavor or texture but is not automatically unsafe. If it has been stored as instructed and the package is intact, look, smell, and taste (of a properly stored, best-before food only) are reasonable guides.
After opening, the rules change
Both dates assume an unopened package stored as directed. An instruction like “once opened, use within 3 days” takes over from the printed date the moment you break the seal — whichever is sooner governs.
Common mistakes
- “Sniff-testing” a use-by food — smell cannot detect listeria or its toxins.
- Discarding cupboard staples the day after their best-before date.
- Freezing food after its use-by date has passed — the limit applies before freezing, not after.