Shelf Life
Definition
The period of time during which a food product remains safe, retains desired sensory, chemical, physical, and microbiological characteristics, and complies with nutrition labelling.
Regulatory Source
- Standard 1.2.5— Date marking of food for sale — shelf life determines whether a food requires a use-by date (unsafe after) or best-before date (quality after)
Last verified against current standards: April 2026
Regulatory authority: Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ)
Related Terms
Best-Before Date
A date marking on food labels indicating the date until which the food will remain at its best quality if properly stored. Food may still be safe to consume after this date.
Date Marking
The use of best-before or use-by dates on food packaging. Use-by dates indicate food safety limits and must not be exceeded. Best-before dates indicate quality and the food may still be safe after the date.
Use-By Date
A date marking on food labels indicating the last date on which the food may be safely consumed. After the use-by date, the food must not be sold or consumed.