Two dates, two very different messages. One is about safety. The other is about quality. Mixing them up means either throwing away perfectly good food, or eating food that could make you ill.
“Use by” is about safety
A “use by” date is the last day a food is considered safe to eat, provided it has been stored the way the label says. You’ll find it on foods that go off quickly, such as raw meat and fish, cooked sliced meats and some dairy products.
After the use-by date, don’t eat, cook or freeze the food — even if it looks and smells fine. The bacteria that cause food poisoning often don’t change how food looks or smells, so your senses aren’t a reliable test.
“Best before” is about quality
A “best before” date tells you how long the food should keep its best flavour, texture and quality. You’ll usually see it on foods that last longer, such as dried, frozen and tinned foods, bread and breakfast cereals.
Food past its best-before date is usually still safe to eat, as long as it has been stored correctly and the packaging isn’t damaged. It may simply have lost some flavour or crispness. Use your judgement: if it looks, smells or tastes wrong, don’t eat it.
How this works in India
Under India’s food labelling rules, set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), packaged food must show a “use by” or “expiry” date, along with the date it was made or packed. A “best before” date can be added as extra information.
So on Indian packaging, the date to treat as the safety line is the one marked “use by” or “expiry”.
The rest of the label matters too
- Storage instructions — “keep refrigerated”, “store in a cool, dry place” — are part of the deal. A use-by date only holds if the food has been stored as the label says.
- “Once opened” instructions, such as “eat within three days of opening”, should be followed once the pack is open — even if the printed date is later.
- Freezing buys you time: many foods can be frozen up until their use-by date. Follow any freezing and defrosting instructions on the pack.
The quick rule
Use by is a safety deadline. Don’t eat the food after it.
Best before is a quality guide. The food is usually fine after it if it has been stored well — but check it first.
This article is general information, not medical advice. If you’re pregnant, elderly, have a weakened immune system, or are preparing food for a baby, follow the official food safety guidance for your situation, and speak to a doctor if you’re unsure.