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Best before vs use by: which date actually matters?

General information, not medical or legal advice. Published 21 October 2026.

Two dates, two very different meanings. Mixing them up means either throwing away good food or eating something that can make you ill. The European Commission estimates that up to 10% of the 88 million tonnes of food wasted in the EU each year is linked to date marking.

What is the difference between best before and use by?

That's how the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (BLV) and the UK Food Standards Agency all put it.

What does the EU law say?

EU Regulation 1169/2011 on food information sets the rules:

What do the dates say on Swiss food?

The same two dates in Swiss food law, with German wording on the pack:

The rule is in Art. 13 of the Swiss Food Information Ordinance (LIV, SR 817.022.16). Food must carry a best-before date. Very perishable food that could quickly be dangerous must carry a use-by date instead.

The BLV says a use-by product may not be sold or processed after its date. Safe eating is no longer guaranteed, even if it smells, looks and tastes normal. Shops may still sell food after its best-before date, as long as quality and safety are ensured and customers aren't misled.

Can I eat food after the best before date?

Usually yes. EFSA and the FSA say food is still safe after its best before date if it was stored correctly. It may just not be at its best. The BLV says many products are fine after the MHD as long as they look, smell and taste normal. Check the pack is undamaged, then look, smell and taste.

Typical best-before foods: pasta, rice, tinned goods, frozen food, crisps, hard cheese. The BLV also lists butter, yoghurt, eggs and fruit juice.

Can I eat food after the use by date?

No. Use your senses for best before, but never for use by. Harmful bacteria can be present without any change you can see or smell. Typical use-by foods, per the BLV, include fresh meat, soft and fresh cheese, ready meals, filled sandwiches, prepared salads and sprouts.

Can I freeze food before the use by date?

Yes. The UK FSA says you can eat food after its use-by date if it was frozen or cooked on or before that date:

Follow any freezing instructions on the pack.

Which foods don't need a date at all?

Under both EU and Swiss rules, these don't need a date: fresh unpeeled, uncut fruit and vegetables, drinks with 10% alcohol or more, vinegar, cooking salt, solid sugar, chewing gum, and baked goods normally eaten within 24 hours. You judge these by their condition.

Does storage matter?

Yes. Both dates only hold if you follow the storage instructions. The FSA says to keep chilled food at 5°C or below. Badly stored food can go off before its date.

How StuffWatch helps

Scan a supermarket receipt and StuffWatch adds your food with a countdown to its date. You can type in or fix the date from the pack. The daily reminder email warns you 3 days before and on the day, so you can eat it, cook it or freeze it in time. If a scanned date has already passed, StuffWatch asks you to check it. It reminds you of the date printed on the pack. It doesn't tell you whether a particular food is still safe.

Start free at stuffwatch.app

Sources

All opened 21 Oct 2026