Expiration Labels Around the World: How Different Countries Mark Freshness

Whenever people buy food and other perishable goods, they often check various labels on the packaging — brand names, nutrition facts, ingredients, and marks of authenticity. However, one label always stands out: the expiration date.

This small yet crucial detail ensures food safety, helping customers choose the freshest and best products to cook and eat with their families. It is an important label required by many governments worldwide. Packaging companies and manufacturers usually work together to accurately display expiration dates on labels, boxes, and bottles. Despite this, expiration date labeling is not the same everywhere. Different countries follow their regulations, using terms like “best before” or “use by” to guide consumers. Some governments enforce strict policies, while others take a more flexible approach.

In this article, we look at how expiration dates work worldwide and how the labels apply to their products. Whether you’re traveling to different countries or buying imported goods, it helps to know what those dates mean depending on where you are.

 

Best Before vs. Use By — Expiration Labels by Language

Many people rely on expiration labels to judge the quality of food or medicine before buying. While these labels help make safer purchases, some consider them to contribute to food waste. In fact, around 80% of Americans throw away perfectly good food because they misinterpret expiration labels. This confusion leads to an estimated $1,300 worth of food wasted each year.

Simply put, expiration dates do not say when the food goes rotten or bad. Instead, it’s a timeframe that indicates when the food is best served or consumed. Most marketers and producers try to make their expiration labels explicit to circumvent food waste. In many cases, the labels usually revolve around these statements:

• Use By – Products with this label focus more on food safety than just quality. Once the date has passed, the product may no longer be safe to eat even if it looks fine. It is commonly found on perishable items like dairy, meat, and ready-to-eat meals.
• EXP Date – Another variation of “Use By”. The EXP or Expiration Date label explicitly tells customers not to consume or use these items past the marked date. This marking is commonly found in medicine, milk formula, and supplements.
• Best If Used By/Best Before – Unlike “Use By,” these labels concern food quality. Products with the label may still be safe to eat past this date, but their freshness, texture, or flavor might not be the same. They’re often seen on packaged and processed foods like chips, cereal, and canned goods.

There are also other labels you can take note of:

• Manufacturing Date – Sometimes marked as MFG or Prod Date, this label tells when the product was made. It doesn’t mean the food is expired, but it helps manufacturers and retailers track shelf life. You’ll often find it paired with “Best Before” labels on processed goods.
• Packaging Date – The packaging date or PKG refers to when the item was sealed. While it is rarely seen in fresh food products, it is essential in medicines, which helps track storage and distribution.
• Sell By Date – This date is mainly for retailers rather than consumers. It tells stores how long it takes to display a product before removing it from the shelves. However, food is often still safe to eat for some time after the “Sell By” date, especially if stored properly
• Freeze-By Date: This label suggests the best date to freeze a product to maintain its peak quality. While the food can still be frozen after this date, it may lose texture or flavor over time. Freezing food before this date helps preserve freshness and extend shelf life.

With all these labels being used to mark for freshness, you’d think there’s a global standard for expiration dates. However, elements like culture and governance often lead to the rulings for expiration labels being enforced quite differently. So, how do different countries deal with these labels?

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Expiration Dates by Country

Asia

Japan enforces strict food labeling laws through the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW).

• The country follows the “Use By” and “Best Before” systems, and manufacturers and retailers take these dates seriously. Stores often pull products from shelves before the labeled date to maintain consumer trust.
• Japanese consumers rely heavily on expiration dates, as food freshness is highly valued. However, this strong emphasis on freshness has also contributed to a high rate of food waste across the country.

China regulates food labeling through the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR).

• Labels are strictly monitored and must include “Best Before” dates, production dates, shelf life, and other food quality indicators. These detailed labels help consumers understand how long a product can be consumed safely.
• Companies that fail to comply with labeling standards can face steep fines or even be forced to shut down, highlighting how seriously expiration regulations are enforced.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) oversees product labeling and safety guidelines in India.

• All packaged foods are required to indicate “Best Before” and “Use By” dates clearly. These regulations are fundamental due to ongoing concerns about food safety in the country.
• Strict compliance is required to ensure health and avoid penalties. The FSSAI actively monitors product labeling across the supply chain.

Europe

Most European countries follow standards set by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), operating under the European Union (EU).

• The EU uses both “Use By” and “Best Before” labels but distinguishes them clearly.
• “Use By” dates apply to perishable items like meat, dairy, and seafood, indicating when a product becomes unsafe to consume.
• “Best Before” dates are used for non-perishable goods and relate to quality rather than safety. Foods may still be sold and consumed after this date, though their flavor or texture might decline.
• Accurate labeling is strictly enforced, and businesses can face penalties for misleading, incorrect, or missing date information.

The United Kingdom maintains its own food safety standards through the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA).

• The FSA encourages retailers to reduce unnecessary food waste by removing “Best Before” dates on long-lasting, non-perishable products. However, “Use By” dates remain mandatory and enforceable, especially for products that pose health risks if consumed past their safety window.
• The UK continues to enforce food and medicine expiration labeling, ensuring consumer protection and regulations toward different industries.

North America

While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) encourage food manufacturers to include date labels, no federal regulations requiring expiration dates on most food products in the United States, except for the strict monitoring of infant formula.

• As a result, terms like “Best Before” and “Use By” are often used interchangeably. Regardless, most labels usually focus on food quality rather than safety.
• Many Americans prefer not to buy products close to the dates labeled, even if they are still safe to consume, contributing to significant food waste.

In Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) enforces clear guidelines for expiration labels, distinguishing between “Best Before” dates and “Expiry Dates.”

• “Best Before” dates are required for foods with a shelf life of 90 days or less, indicating when the product maintains its peak freshness, taste, and texture.
• “Expiry Dates” differ because they apply to perishable foods and medications. Products with a lapsed expiry date cannot be sold, as they may no longer be safe for consumption.

South America

Latin American countries, including Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina, use “Validity Dates” instead of “Use By” for their perishable goods. These labels indicate when a product should no longer be consumed and are separate from “Best Before” dates, which focus on quality rather than safety.

In Brazil, the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA) regulates food expiration and enforces strict labeling requirements.

• ANVISA mandates that all packaged food display a manufacturing date, expiration date, and shelf life to ensure customer safety.
• Businesses that fail to comply with expiration labeling laws can face heavy fines or product recalls, as expired food is considered a significant public health risk.

Food safety agencies in Mexico and Argentina enforce clear labeling regulations to prevent foodborne illnesses.

• The country’s consumers are generally cautious about expired products, and retailers must remove items past their validity date to avoid legal consequences.
• Authorities conduct regular inspections to ensure that expiration labels are accurate, and that expired food is not sold to the public.

Australia and New Zealand

The Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) regulates food labeling in both Australia and New Zealand, ensuring that expiration labels are used correctly and consistently.

• “Use By” labels are strictly enforced for perishable items. Retailers are not allowed to sell food past this date, as it may pose health risks. Consumers are also advised not to consume products after the “Use By” date for safety reasons.
• “Best Before” labels indicate when a product is of the highest quality, but food can still be sold and eaten after this date if it remains in good condition. However, these labels must be clearly visible and easy to understand to avoid confusion.

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Conclusion

Expiration dates are essential for food safety and quality control. They are fundamental for product labeling and can encourage anyone’s purchasing decision. While different countries have their own ways of regulating and enforcing expiration labels, people should be aware that these signs exist and can be followed for the overall quality of your meals.

Understanding the expiration date labels will also determine how you handle the products by properly storing food, consuming it immediately, or passing on it upfront. You are making informed choices because of these labels, and you can take an active role in managing them together with the food and products they are representing.

• Always check expiration dates before purchasing a product. Read the label and confirm that the food or item is within its recommended date. This helps you avoid buying expired products and ensures freshness.
• Learn the difference between ‘Best Before,’ ‘Use By,’ and ‘Sell By’ dates. Not all expiration labels mean the same thing. ‘Use By’ is about safety, while ‘Best Before’ refers to quality. Knowing the difference helps prevent unnecessary food waste.
• Follow proper storage guidelines to maintain freshness. Keep refrigerated and frozen items at the appropriate temperatures, and store dry goods in cool, dry places. Correct storage can extend the life of many products beyond their ‘Best Before’ date.
• Pay attention to where expiration dates are printed on the packaging. Labels should be easy to find and read. If the date is unclear, contact the manufacturer or retailer for clarification and suggest clearer labeling for better transparency.