best-before date
Freshness deadline label
A best-before date is the date printed on food packaging indicating when the product will begin to decline in quality.
Unlike an expiration date, it doesn't mean the food is unsafe after that point—just that it may lose freshness, flavor, or texture: The yogurt is past its best-before date but still fine to eat.
Also called a best-by date.
Usable storage duration
- durabilityResistance to wear
- preservativesDecay-preventing substances
- refrigerationHeat removal for preservation
- freezingExtremely cold
pantry · ambient · shelf-stable · temperature · humidity · longevity · stability · degradation
End of validity
- perishableProne to decay
- ripeReady to eat
- spoilageFood degradation process
- peakUtmost height attained
deterioration · staleness · rancid · off · turned · wilted · moldy · sour
Discarded edible matter
- discardDeliberately throw out
- tossLight, casual throw
- throwing outDisposing of something
- landfillWaste burial ground
compost · edible · confusion · waste reduction · food rescue · donation · salvageable · smell test
Protective product enclosure
- batch numberProduction run identifier
- lot numberIdentifier for grouped items
- label readingReviewing packaged food information
Adhering to requirements
- standardsAccepted levels of quality
- guidelinesSuggested rules for behavior
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
- consumer protectionLaws defending purchasers' interests
mandatory · advisory · traceability · FDA · USDA · enforcement · labeling requirements · industry standards
Introduction of impurities
- pathogensDisease-causing microorganisms
- foodborneSpread via consumed items
- hygienePractices maintaining cleanliness
- sanitationCleanliness for public health
microorganisms · toxins · recall · allergens · cross-contamination · bacteria · listeria · salmonella
shelf life
Usable storage duration
- durabilityResistance to wear
- preservativesDecay-preventing substances
- refrigerationHeat removal for preservation
freezing · pantry · ambient · shelf-stable · temperature · humidity · longevity · stability · degradation · stock rotation
expiration
End of validity
- perishableProne to decay
- ripeReady to eat
- spoilageFood degradation process
peak · deterioration · staleness · rancid · off · turned · wilted · moldy · sour · oxidized
food waste
Discarded edible matter
- discardDeliberately throw out
- tossLight, casual throw
- throwing outDisposing of something
landfill · compost · edible · confusion · waste reduction · food rescue · donation · salvageable · smell test · judgment call
packaging
Protective product enclosure
- batch numberProduction run identifier
- lot numberIdentifier for grouped items
- label readingReviewing packaged food information
compliance
Adhering to requirements
- standardsAccepted levels of quality
- guidelinesSuggested rules for behavior
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
consumer protection · mandatory · advisory · traceability · FDA · USDA · enforcement · labeling requirements · industry standards · legal requirements
contamination
Introduction of impurities
- pathogensDisease-causing microorganisms
- foodborneSpread via consumed items
- hygienePractices maintaining cleanliness
sanitation · microorganisms · toxins · recall · allergens · cross-contamination · bacteria · listeria · salmonella · E. coli
best-before dateuse-by date
Recommended consumption deadline
expiration date · expiry date · sell-by date · shelf-stable · non-perishable
best, better, before, date, dates, dated, dating, datable, undated