Global Food Safety Guidelines

Who decides when food expires? It's a mix of government mandates and manufacturer quality standards.

FDA vs. USDA (USA)

Surprisingly, federal law does NOT require expiration dates on most foods, except for **infant formula**.

To reduce consumer confusion and waste, the FDA supports the standardized phrase "Best If Used By". This indicates quality, not safety.

European Standards (EFSA)

The EU enforces stricter labeling rules under Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011:

• "Use by": A strict safety deadline for highly perishable foods (e.g., fresh fish). Eating past this date is a health risk.
• "Best before": A quality indicator for non-perishables (e.g., canned beans). Safe to eat after, but flavor may decline.

India (FSSAI)

The FSSAI requires "Best Before" dates on pre-packaged goods. Interestingly, for Indian sweets (mithai), "Use By" dates are mandatory due to high dairy content.