/
/
Use-by and best before dates
“Use by,” “Best before,” and similar phrases do not necessarily have the same legal meaning in every country. In the United States, most dates on packaged foods are manufacturer-provided quality indicators rather than federally standardized safety deadlines. Infant formula is an important exception.
A “Best if Used By” date generally refers to quality. A “Use By” date may have a product-specific meaning, so follow the label and any applicable manufacturer instructions. Other countries may distinguish legally between “use by” safety dates and “best before” quality dates.
For U.S. consumers, safe handling and storage are essential regardless of the printed date. Refrigerate perishables promptly and follow food-specific storage guidance.
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
Food Product Dating — USDA FSIS
Describes common U.S. food date-label terminology and the infant-formula exception.
Food Labeling & Nutrition — FDA
FDA food-labeling overview.
Foodsafety.org is an online platform for disseminating and discussing food safety topics. All reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the information provided is free of errors and up-to-date but gives no guarantees as to the accuracy and completeness of that information or its fitness for any purpose whatsoever.
Foodsafety.org provides information and advice ‘as is’, without any conditions, warranties or other terms of any kind. Accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted by law, we provide you with content on the basis that we exclude any and all representations, warranties conditions, and other terms which but for this legal notice might have effect in relation with the website.
Foodsafety.org visitors must independently validate any and all food safety information before using such information to inform food handing, storage, and food preparation practices in their homes and/or businesses. For the most appropriate and safe application of Foodsafety.org information, expert interpretation is required. Users bear the responsibility to determine if they have such appropriate expertise.
Foodsafety.org may make changes to the material at any time without notice. Information may be out-of-date and we make no commitment to update it.
As with nearly all services offered on the internet, this website leverages a number of layers of third-party code libraries, some of which may work as expected one day and not the next, due to the fact that third-party software will be updated over time (and beyond our control), and some third-party software may not be supported by your particular device or browser, or the specific version of your particular browser. Furthermore, all computer code is subject to the risk of errors.
The Terms and Conditions set out herein apply to the use of Foodsafety.org information. By accessing Foodsafety.org, you agree that you have read and accept these terms and conditions. If you do not agree to these Terms and Conditions, do not use Foodsafety.org.
Foodsafety.org is a trade name and division of BioSecure Risk Management, Inc. “(BioSecure”) BioSecure, its officers, directors, employees, shareholders or agents (the “Company”) accept no liability for any loss or damage arising from any inability to use Foodsafety.org.
The Company excludes all liability and responsibility for any amount or kind of loss and damage that may result to you or a third party (including without limitation, any direct, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damages), or loss of income, profits, goodwill, time, data, contracts, use of money, or loss or damages from or connected in any way to business interruption, and whether in tort (including, without limitation, negligence), contract or otherwise in connection with Foodsafety.org in any way or in connection with the use, inability to use the results of use of Foodsafety.org, any web site linked to Foodsafety.org or the material of such web sites, including but not limited to loss or damage due to viruses that may infect your computer equipment, software, data or other property on account of your use of Foodsafety.org or your downloading of any material from Foodsafety.org or any web site linked to Foodsafety.org.
The Company is not responsible for the availability, content or security of any other websites accessed through the website and accepts no liability for, and gives no endorsement of, material on or other services provided through such web sites. Foodsafety.org recommends that you check the terms and conditions and any policies of such sites and contact the owner or operator if you have any concerns. Any use of such material or services is at your own risk.
Under no circumstances will consent be granted to create a deep-link to the Foodsafety.org.
