How long after the Best Before date is food safe?

It depends on the food. Dry goods, canned food, eggs and hard cheese are usually safe for weeks to months past the date. Perishable items like meat, fish and dairy should be judged by smell and appearance — and never eaten past a Use By date.

Best Before vs Use By: What Each Date Really Means

Best Before vs Use By: The Simple Rule

Use By is a safety deadline. Eating food past its Use By date can make you ill — never eat food past this date, even if it looks fine.

Best Before is about quality. The food may lose some flavour, texture or nutritional value after this date, but it is usually safe to eat. This is where most food waste happens — perfectly good food thrown away because of a misunderstood date.

Foods Usually Safe After Best Before

Eggs (usually fine 3–5 weeks past the date)
Yogurt and hard cheese
Dry pasta, rice, cereal
Canned goods and jarred sauces
Chocolate, biscuits and crackers

Never Eat Past Use By

Raw or cooked meat and poultry
Fish and shellfish
Deli meats and pâté
Prepared salads and ready meals
Baby formula (also check best-before — it has its own strict rules)

Use Your Senses, Not Just the Date

Dates are a guide. Always check smell, appearance and texture before eating anything past its Best Before date. If something looks, smells or tastes off — trust your senses and discard it.