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 expiration dates, which concern safety, best before dates are about optimal freshness—the food is typically still safe to eat afterward, just potentially less flavorful or textured: The yogurt was a week past its best before date but tasted fine.
Maintaining something's condition
- durabilityResistance to wear
- stabilityResistance to displacement
- longevityDuration of existence
- perishableProne to decay
nonperishable · shelf-stable · canned · frozen · dried · ambient · packaged · extended
Introduction of impurities
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
- pathogensDisease-causing microorganisms
- salmonellaFoodborne bacterial illness
- foodborneSpread via consumed items
spoilage · refrigeration · storage · temperature · freezing · pasteurization · sterilization · sanitation
State of being unspoiled
- peakUtmost height attained
- optimalMost desirable outcome
- flavorCharacteristic taste quality
- textureSurface tactile quality
aroma · nutrients · ripeness · taste · condition · palatability · wholesomeness · potency
End of validity
- expiryEnd of validity
- packagingProtective product enclosure
- batchQuantity produced together
- trackingMonitoring location over time
stamping · printing · readability · marking
Accepted levels of quality
- complianceAdhering to requirements
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
- policyAdopted principle of action
- enforcementCompelling compliance with rules
guidelines · FDA · USDA · advisory · mandatory · voluntary · recalls · inspection
preservation
Maintaining something's condition
- durabilityResistance to wear
- stabilityResistance to displacement
- longevityDuration of existence
perishable · nonperishable · shelf-stable · canned · frozen · dried · ambient · packaged · extended · rotation
contamination
Introduction of impurities
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
- pathogensDisease-causing microorganisms
- salmonellaFoodborne bacterial illness
foodborne · spoilage · refrigeration · storage · temperature · freezing · pasteurization · sterilization · sanitation · hygiene
freshness
State of being unspoiled
texture · aroma · nutrients · ripeness · taste · condition · palatability · wholesomeness · potency · efficacy
expiration
End of validity
tracking · stamping · printing · readability · marking
standards
Accepted levels of quality
- complianceAdhering to requirements
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
- policyAdopted principle of action
enforcement · guidelines · FDA · USDA · advisory · mandatory · voluntary · recalls · inspection · import-export
stale
No longer fresh
ferment · curdle · sour · decompose · taint · wilt · overripe · off-flavor · rancid · turn
- Advance Noticeswarning, alert, reminder, heads up, forewarning
- time pressurerush, against the clock, rushed, clock is ticking, urgency