Best Before

Category: Food Trade

Definition (plain English)

A date that usually indicates when food is expected to retain intended quality, taste, or texture under stated storage conditions.

Why it matters commercially

Best-before dating affects buyer acceptance, markdown planning, channel choice, and whether slow-moving stock can still be sold profitably.

Example

A retailer required at least 70% remaining best-before life on delivery, so the importer rejected a cheaper lot already sitting in supplier stock.

Common mistake

Assuming best-before rules, label wording, and customer minimum-life policies are the same across markets and sales channels.

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