The period a food stays safe and of acceptable quality when stored as directed, reflected in its date mark.
The period a food stays safe and of acceptable quality when stored as directed on the label, as determined by the manufacturer.
Shelf life is reflected in the date mark. Short shelf life perishable foods carry a use-by date, while longer shelf life foods carry a best-before date.
Yes. Shelf life only holds if the food is stored as directed, so keeping perishable food cold is essential to reach the labelled date safely.
Yes. The labelled shelf life assumes unopened packaging, so once opened a business should set a shorter use-within period based on its food safety program.
The manufacturer determines shelf life, considering the type of food, how it is processed and packaged, and the storage conditions.