Date labels

"Use by" date

Written by the VitaWhat editorial team · Medically reviewed by Steve Davis · Last reviewed 19 July 2026 · Editorial policy

A safety date — the most important one to obey.

Typical storage time: Do not eat after this date, even if it looks and smells fine

Best for

  • Highly perishable foods: meat, fish, dairy, ready meals, salads

Good to know

"Use by" is about safety. Follow storage instructions and don't use food after it. You can freeze right up to the use-by date to extend life.

Sources & references

  1. UK Food Standards Agency — Storage & food dates
  2. NHS — How to store food safely
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