ˌbest-beˈfore date () (NAmEˌbest-if-ˈused-by date)
noun
[] the date by which you are advised to use some types of food and drink, printed on the container or package. Food will be safe after this date, but the quality may not be so good.保质期◆The flour is not yet past its best-before date.面粉尚未过保质期。➡ picture at packaging Dates on products <chn/>Many goods, especially foods, have a date on them giving information about their shelf life (= how long you can keep them). 许多商品，尤其是食品，其包装上都会标明保质期（shelf life）。Dates that give information about quality 保质期Foods that have been frozen, dried, packed in cans, etc. often have a best-before date (BrE) or best-if-used-by date (NAmE). This tells the consumer how long the product is expected to remain fresh. 冷冻食品、干制食品和罐装食品等通常都标有最佳食用期限（英式英语 best-before date，美式英语 best-if-used-by date），告知消费者产品的保鲜期：Best before end FEB 2006. * 2006 年 2 月底之前食用最佳。Fresh foods often have a sell-by date (BrE and NAmE) or pull date (NAmE). This tells the staff of the shop/store how long they should display the product. 新鲜食品通常标有销售截止日期（英式和美式英语 sell-by date，或美式英语 pull date），告知销售人员商品的架上陈列及售卖期限：Sell by 14 Nov. 06. 最迟销售日期为 06 年 11 月 14 日。 Usually food can be eaten for a period of time after this date, although it may not taste as good. 通常食品在此日期后一段时期内仍可食用，但味道可能变差。Often shops/stores sell products that are near their sell-by-date, best-before date, etc. more cheaply. 商店通常会降价出售那些临近最迟销售日期及保质期的商品。Dates that give information about safety 安全日期Some products, for example milk, meat or medicines, must have a use-by date or an expiry date (BrE)/expiration date (NAmE). This is the date up to which you can safely eat or use the product. It is often illegal for shops/stores to sell products that have passed this date. 某些产品，如牛奶、肉制品或药品必须标明保存期（use-by date）或有效期（英式英语 expiry date，美式英语 expiration date）。这个日期是安全食用或使用产品的截止日期。出售超过这一日期的产品通常是违法的：Display until 20 Oct. 06. 上架截止日期 06 年 10 月 20 日。 Use by 27 Oct. 06. 使用截止日期 06 年 10 月 27 日。