Expiration Dates: "Best Before" and "Use By"

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Does food items in your country print expiration dates as "best before", "used by", or generally as "expiration date". It is usually required by the state as a guideline and not necessarily a guarantee. People generally do not consume food items beyond their expiration dates for obvious health reasons of avoiding stomach trouble and food poisoning but some still cautiously do for practical reasons. Foods marked with "best before" refers to quality, not safety, safe beyond the date indicated, although flavor, texture, appearance, nutrition, and efficacy, may deteriorate (or improve). Most medicines are safe and effective after 15 years passed their expiration dates. Flour, sugar, salt, vinegar, rice, cereals, instant noodles, coffee, tea, chocolates, food seasonings are some examples as long as they are kept away from moisture. Foods marked with "used by" "consume before" are injurious to health beyond the date indicated but usually still have days of allowances.