Expiration date

Common card · No. 267635

An expiration date or expiry date is a previously determined date after which something should no longer be used, either by operation of law or by exceeding the anticipated shelf life for perishable goods. Expiration dates are applied to some food products and other products like infant car seats where the age of the product may affect its safe use. The legal definition and usage of terms varies between countries and products. Different terms may be used for products that tend to spoil and those that tend to be shelf-stable. Use by is often applied to products such as milk and meat that are more likely to spoil and can become dangerous to those eating them. Such products should not be consumed past the date shown. Best before is often applied to products that may deteriorate slightly in quality, but are unlikely to become dangerous as a result, such as dried foods. Such products can be eaten after their Best before date at the discretion of the consumer. Storage and handling conditions...

Read on Wikipedia · Image Edward Betts, Public domain