Many packaged foods have printed dates like “Best Before,” “Use By,” or “Expiry Date.” These dates are not all the same. Two of the most commonly confused terms are shelf life and expiry date.
Shelf life refers to the length of time a product can stay fresh and maintain its best quality, flavour, and texture. During this period, the food is safe to eat and tastes the way it should. Shelf life depends on how the product is stored and what it’s made of. For example, biscuits may have a shelf life of six months if kept in a cool, dry place.
Expiry date, on the other hand, marks the final day a product is considered safe to consume. After this date, the food may not be harmful right away, but there is a higher risk that bacteria or spoilage could develop. Medicines and baby formula, for instance, should never be used after their expiry date.
Shelf life is about quality, while expiry date is about safety. A product may not taste great after its shelf life ends, but it becomes unsafe only after it passes the expiry date.