A use-by date is the date marked on a highly perishable food product after which it must not be sold or consumed, even if stored correctly, because safety can no longer be assured, and it is legally distinct from a best-before date, which relates to quality rather than safety.
In trade practice
In B2B food trade, buyers of chilled or short-life products typically specify a minimum remaining shelf life at the point of delivery, expressed as a percentage of total shelf life or a fixed number of days. Suppliers must ensure that production scheduling, cold-chain management and transit times allow the agreed remaining life to be met on arrival. A common error is confusing use-by with best-before labelling requirements, which are governed by Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on food information to consumers. For frozen fruit and vegetables, best-before dates are more common than use-by dates, as the safety risk profile differs.
In a specification
A purchase contract or specification states the minimum remaining shelf life at delivery as a number of days or a percentage of the total use-by period, and may specify that lots failing this requirement will be rejected.