Date marks help you make safer choices when buying and storing food. The two marks you must understand are use by and best before. A use-by date is mainly about food safety, while a best-before date is about quality. This distinction is important in GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition because it links buying and storage to preventing foodborne illness and reducing unnecessary food waste. You also need to consider the storage instructions, the condition of the packaging and whether food has been opened. This guide covers the AQA 3.4.2.1 food safety content on buying and storage.
What is a use-by date?
A use-by date is used for foods that can become unsafe to eat after a particular date if they have been stored as instructed. These foods may support the growth of harmful microorganisms, which are tiny living organisms that can cause illness.
Examples can include some chilled foods such as fresh meat, fish and ready-to-eat products. The exact date depends on the food and how it has been produced and packaged, so always check the label rather than guessing.
- Do not eat food after its use-by date, even if it looks or smells acceptable.
- Follow any storage instruction, such as keeping the food refrigerated.
- Check the use-by date when shopping and choose food with enough time left for your planned use.
- If the label gives instructions about freezing or cooking, follow them carefully.
Looking, smelling or tasting food is not a reliable way to judge whether food past its use-by date is safe. Harmful microorganisms may not change the food’s appearance, smell or taste.
What is a best-before date?
A best-before date indicates how long food is expected to keep its quality when stored correctly. After this date, the food may become less fresh, crisp, flavoursome or nutritious, but it is not automatically unsafe to eat.
Best-before dates are commonly found on foods with a longer shelf life, such as dried, tinned or packaged products. The food still needs to be checked sensibly. Look at the packaging, follow the storage instructions and use your judgement about its quality. Do not use food if the pack is damaged, the contents appear abnormal or there are other signs that it has not been stored properly.
| Date mark | Main purpose | What to remember |
|---|---|---|
| Use by | Food safety | Do not eat the food after this date. Storage instructions must also be followed. |
| Best before | Food quality | The food may still be suitable after the date if it has been stored correctly and is in good condition. |
Buying and storage: why the date is not the whole answer
Date marks only work properly when food is bought, transported and stored as directed. For example, chilled food should not be left warm for longer than necessary. At home, put food away promptly and check the label for instructions such as “keep refrigerated” or “once opened, use within…” followed by a stated period.
Opening a package can affect how long food remains suitable. The original date mark may not be the only instruction that matters after opening. Always read the full label and keep opened food in the recommended conditions.
Good habits when buying food
- Check use-by dates on foods that need to be kept chilled.
- Choose a date that fits your meal plan, particularly if you will not use the food immediately.
- Check that packaging is sealed and not damaged.
- Keep chilled and frozen food at the correct temperature during storage, following the product instructions.
- Use older suitable food first, while keeping raw and ready-to-eat foods separate.
Good habits when storing food
- Follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
- Keep food covered or in suitable containers where appropriate.
- Do not assume that a best-before date makes damaged or poorly stored food safe.
- Organise cupboards, refrigerators and freezers so that food can be found and used before its date.
- Do not confuse a date mark with permission to ignore basic hygiene and safe storage.
Other date information
You may also see terms such as display until or sell by. These are mainly used by shops for stock control and are not the same as the safety advice provided by a use-by date. For your exam, focus on explaining the difference between use by and best before, then apply the correct advice to the food and storage situation described.
How to apply date marks in an exam
Questions may ask you to explain why a date mark matters, recommend what a consumer should do, or identify a safer storage practice. A strong answer uses the date mark as evidence and gives a reason.
For example, if a chilled ready-to-eat food has passed its use-by date, the appropriate advice is not to eat it. The reason is that harmful microorganisms may have multiplied, even if the food looks and smells normal. If a dry packaged food is past its best-before date but has been stored correctly and the packaging is intact, its quality may have reduced, so it should be checked before use.
Avoid writing that every food becomes dangerous after a best-before date. Also avoid writing that food is safe simply because it smells normal. The wording of your answer should match the type of date mark and the storage conditions.
Exam-ready summary
- Use by means safety: do not eat food after the use-by date.
- Best before means quality: food may still be suitable afterwards if it has been stored correctly and remains in good condition.
- Follow all storage instructions, including instructions for opened food.
- Check packaging and storage history, not just the printed date.
- Do not rely on sight, smell or taste to judge food beyond a use-by date.
- In an exam, explain the date mark, the safety or quality consequence and the relevant storage action.
Food-safety guidance and labelling requirements can change. Before using this topic for revision or practical work, check the current AQA Food Preparation and Nutrition specification and the latest advice from the Food Standards Agency or GOV.UK.
Retrieval checklist
- Can you define use by without mentioning quality?
- Can you define best before without claiming that food is automatically safe?
- Can you explain why smell is not enough to assess food after a use-by date?
- Can you name two buying or storage actions that support safe food use?
- Can you write a justified recommendation for a food with each type of date mark?
Frequently asked questions
Can food be eaten after its best-before date?
It may still be suitable if it has been stored correctly, the packaging is intact and its quality has not deteriorated. Best before mainly describes quality, not an automatic safety cut-off.
Can food be eaten after its use-by date if it smells fine?
No. Smell and appearance are not reliable safety checks. Food should not be eaten after its use-by date.
Why should I check storage instructions as well as the date?
The date assumes that the food has been stored as directed. Incorrect storage, damaged packaging or opening the product can affect whether it remains suitable.