15 May 2025

Label Reading Habits: Use-By Date Versus Best-Before Date

The Ministry issued guidance explaining two date types that consumers often confuse. The use-by date applies to foods that spoil easily in microbiological terms and may quickly pose a health risk; selling products past this date is prohibited by legislation. The best-before date indicates how long a food keeps its sensory qualities such as freshness, taste and aroma when stored properly, and products past this date may remain on sale if they show no signs of spoilage, with responsibility resting on the food business operator. The text also lists the information that must appear on prepacked food labels under the Turkish Food Codex Regulation on Food Labelling and Consumer Information dated 26 January 2017. These include the name of the food, the ingredient list, allergen declaration, net quantity, storage conditions, establishment registration number, country of origin, batch number and nutrition declaration.