use-by date
Food safety cutoff
A use-by date is the deadline printed on perishable goods indicating when they should be consumed for safety or quality: Check the use-by date on that milk.
Figuratively, something past its use-by date has outlived its relevance or usefulness: That policy is well past its use-by date.
British; Americans typically say expiration date.
End of validity
- shelf lifeUsable storage duration
- expiryEnd of validity
- perishableProne to decay
- deteriorationProcess of declining quality
spoilage · decay · rot · mold · staleness · rancidity · sour · curdle
Food freshness deadline
- sell byMerchant's deadline date
- packagingProtective product enclosure
- complianceAdhering to requirements
- regulationOfficial rules governing conduct
standards · consumer protection · guidelines · lot number · traceability · mandatory · disclosure · legibility
Ready to eat
aromatic · flavorful · peak · unspoiled · pristine · garden-fresh · farm-to-table · wholesome
Introduction of impurities
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
- pathogensDisease-causing microorganisms
- foodborne illnessSickness from contaminated meals
- hygienePractices maintaining cleanliness
refrigeration · temperature control · storage · preservation · microorganisms · cross-contamination · sanitation · handling
expiration
End of validity
- shelf lifeUsable storage duration
- expiryEnd of validity
- perishableProne to decay
deterioration · spoilage · decay · rot · mold · staleness · rancidity · sour · curdle · wilt
best before
Food freshness deadline
- sell byMerchant's deadline date
- packagingProtective product enclosure
- complianceAdhering to requirements
regulation · standards · consumer protection · guidelines · lot number · traceability · mandatory · disclosure · legibility · open dating
ripe
Ready to eat
succulent · aromatic · flavorful · peak · unspoiled · pristine · garden-fresh · farm-to-table · wholesome · edible
contamination
Introduction of impurities
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
- pathogensDisease-causing microorganisms
- foodborne illnessSickness from contaminated meals
hygiene · refrigeration · temperature control · storage · preservation · microorganisms · cross-contamination · sanitation · handling · chilled
- expiration datesexpiration, sell by, best before, best by, shelf life
- Food Freshnessfreshness, spoilage, shelf life, perishable, rot
- Food Regulationfood standards, food inspection, food safety, health codes, allergen labels
- food safetyfood safety, food hygiene, food handling, food poisoning, contamination
use-by datenon-perishable
Won't rot or decay
shelf-stable · imperishable · perpetual · open-ended · eternal