How long after use-by date is food safe?

October 29, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the Food Standards Agency, a 'use-by' date is about safety, not quality, and should be strictly adhered to, even if food appears and smells fine. The question of how long after use-by date food remains safe is often misunderstood, leading to potential health risks that are not always visible.

Quick Summary

A use-by date is a critical safety instruction, not merely a suggestion. Never consume food after this date has passed, as it can harbor harmful, undetectable bacteria that cause serious food poisoning. In contrast, a best-before date is a quality indicator.

Key Points

Use-By is a Safety Warning: Never consume food after its use-by date, as it can harbor dangerous bacteria causing food poisoning.
Best-Before is a Quality Indicator: Food with a 'best-before' date is typically safe to eat after the date has passed, though its quality may have decreased.
The 'Sniff Test' is Unreliable: Harmful food pathogens often have no smell or visible signs, making sensory evaluation a poor indicator for use-by dated food.
Freeze to Extend Shelf Life: You can freeze food before its use-by date expires to extend its life. Label it clearly with the freezing date.
Follow Storage Instructions: To ensure a product remains safe until its designated date, you must follow the manufacturer's storage instructions precisely, especially for refrigerated goods.
Inspect Packaging: Always check food packaging for damage like bulging or tears, as this can compromise safety irrespective of the date printed.

The Critical Difference: Use-By vs. Best-Before

Understanding the distinction between these two labels is the single most important step in preventing food poisoning. The label's purpose determines how you should treat food once the marked date has passed.

Use-By Date: About Safety

A use-by date is found on foods that perish quickly, such as meat, fish, and dairy products. It is the date until which the manufacturer guarantees the food's safety, provided it has been stored correctly.

Do not consume after this date: After the use-by date, the food could contain dangerous levels of bacteria that cause serious illness, even if it looks and smells perfectly normal.
The 'sniff test' is invalid: Many food poisoning bacteria do not produce an odor or change the food's appearance. Relying on your senses is unreliable and risky.
Freezing is an option: To extend a product's life, you can freeze it before the use-by date expires. Once defrosted, it should be consumed within 24 hours.

Best-Before Date: About Quality

A best-before date (sometimes labeled as BBE) indicates that the food will be at its peak quality before this date. This applies to a wide range of products that don't spoil quickly, including:

Dried goods (pasta, rice)
Frozen foods (vegetables, chips)
Tinned products (beans, soup)
Certain dairy products (hard cheese)

After the best-before date, the food may lose some of its flavor, texture, or nutritional value, but it is generally safe to eat, assuming the packaging is intact and it has been stored properly.

Comparison of Date Labels

To illustrate the key differences, here is a helpful comparison table:


Feature	Use-By Date	Best-Before Date
Significance	Food safety	Food quality and freshness
Associated Risk	High risk of food poisoning after date	Low risk, but potential loss of quality
Food Types	Perishable foods (meat, fish, dairy)	Shelf-stable goods (canned, frozen, dried)
'Sniff Test' Validity	Extremely unreliable	Can be used as a guide, alongside visual checks
Safety After Date	Never safe to consume	Safe, but quality may diminish
Legality	Illegal for retailers to sell after date	Legal to sell after date if fit for consumption

Safety Guidelines for Foods Approaching Use-By Dates

Rather than asking how long you can push the date, focus on responsible food management to minimize risk and reduce waste. Here are actionable tips:

Cook or Freeze in Time: For foods with an imminent use-by date, cook them thoroughly to kill any potential bacteria. Alternatively, freeze the product before the date, remembering to label it with the freezing date.
Proper Storage is Key: Follow all storage instructions meticulously. If a product says 'refrigerate after opening,' do so immediately. Incorrect temperatures can accelerate spoilage, making the date invalid.
Avoid Cross-Contamination: When handling food nearing its use-by date, be vigilant about preventing cross-contamination with other foods, especially ready-to-eat items.
Check Packaging: Always inspect packaging for damage. A bulging can or torn plastic wrap can compromise the product's integrity and safety, regardless of the date.

Conclusion

In summary, the answer to 'how long after use-by date' is simple: no time at all. Consuming any food past its use-by date is a significant gamble with your health, regardless of how it looks or smells. The sniff test is a myth for perishable foods. Prioritize food safety by adhering strictly to these labels and utilizing safe alternatives like freezing to minimize waste. This proactive approach protects your health and encourages smarter food management at home. For further authoritative guidance on food safety, consult resources from governing bodies like the UK Food Standards Agency.

Note: While food items with a best-before date are generally safe after the date, it's essential to use your judgment based on sensory checks. Any signs of mold, bad odor, or an unpleasant taste mean the food should be discarded.

Frequently Asked Questions

A use-by date is a food safety warning and indicates when a food is no longer safe to eat. A best-before date is a quality indicator, meaning the food is past its peak quality but still safe to consume.

No, you should never eat meat or fish after the use-by date has passed. These products are highly perishable and can develop dangerous levels of bacteria that cause food poisoning, even if they look or smell fine.

Yes, you can safely freeze most food items on or before their use-by date. Freezing acts as a 'pause' button. Once defrosted, the food should be cooked and eaten within 24 hours.

Generally, cooked leftovers should be eaten within 2-3 days if properly refrigerated. If you prepared the food using ingredients with use-by dates, consume or freeze the meal before the earliest expiring ingredient's date.

For foods with a use-by date, you cannot rely on your senses of sight or smell. Many harmful bacteria that cause illness do not affect the food's appearance or odor. The sniff test is only reliable for some products with a best-before date.

If a canned food has been stored correctly and the can is not bulging, leaking, or damaged, it is generally safe to eat for a long time after the best-before date. The quality might decline, but safety is not the primary concern.

Eating food past its use-by date significantly increases your risk of food poisoning, which can cause severe illness. The potential consequences far outweigh the benefit of not wasting the food.