Food consumption deadline: can we exceed it?

The DLC is a mandatory limit, it shall state that after that date the product has expired and is not consumable.

This concerns, for example, meat, fish, fresh milk products... which are microbiologically highly perishable foodstuffs which, after a short period, may present an immediate danger to health.

The DLC is indicated by the formula

to be consumed up to

followed by an indication of the day and month or a reference to the place where this date appears on the labeling.

However, the DDM, formerly the Best Use Deadline (ULD), indicates that after this date, the product is not out of date as long as the packaging is not damaged, even if it may have lost some of its taste and nutritional qualities. This concerns in particular pasta, pulses, dried vegetables, coffee, tea... Exceeding the MDD does not make the food dangerous, so it can still be marketed and consumed.

The DDM is indicated by the formula

best before

supplemented by an indication of time or by a reference to the place where this indication appears on the labeling.