Use By vs Best Before Dates: What’s the Difference?

Understanding Food Labelling from Your Local Butcher

When it comes to buying fresh meat, understanding the difference between “use by” and “best before” dates is essential for food safety, taste, and reducing waste. At Archers, we want our customers to feel confident about the quality and safety of the meat they buy from us. In this blog, we break down the key differences and explain how to handle meat safely at home.

What Is a “Use By” Date?

The “use by” date is all about safety. It tells you the last date you can safely eat the product. After this date, even if the food looks and smells fine, you should not eat it — it could make you unwell.

Key points:

• Found on perishable foods like fresh meat, poultry, fish, and dairy.

• Foods must be stored correctly (e.g., in the fridge at 5°C or below).

• Never eat meat after the use by date, even if it looks and smells okay.

Tip from our butchers: If you’re not going to eat your meat in time, freeze it before the use by date to keep it safe for later.

What Is a “Best Before” Date?

The “best before” date is all about quality, not safety. It indicates when a product is likely to be at its best flavour, texture and appearance. It’s perfectly safe to eat food after this date — it just might not taste quite as fresh.

Key points:

• Found on longer-life products like dry-cured meats, sausages, and pantry items.

• Food is still safe to eat after the best before date, as long as it’s been stored properly.

• Always check the look, smell, and texture before eating.

Did you know? Many people throw away food that’s still perfectly good to eat just because it’s past its best before date. Understanding this difference can help cut down on food waste.

Why It Matters at the Butcher’s Counter

As your trusted local butcher, we take food safety seriously. Our products are clearly labelled with the right dates, and our team is always happy to offer advice on storage, freezing, and cooking to get the best from your meat.

• We label all fresh meat with clear use by dates.

• Some of our products, like cheeses, often come with best before dates, meaning they’ll last longer without compromising on quality.

• If you’re unsure about anything on your label, just ask — we’re here to help.

How to Store Meat Safely at Home

Here are some quick tips to keep your meat safe and fresh:

• Refrigerate immediately – Store meat at 5°C or below.
• Freeze before the use by date – Portion it out if needed.

Final Thoughts: Know Your Labels, Waste Less, Eat Safe

Understanding the difference between “use by” and “best before” dates can help you stay safe, make better use of your food, and save money. At Archers, we’re committed to providing the best quality meat with the guidance to enjoy it safely — from our counter to your kitchen.

For more detailed guidance on food date labelling, you can visit the Food Standards Agency’s official page on use by and best before dates.