Can You Eat Meat On The Use By Date?

When it comes to food safety, the difference between a satisfying meal and a dangerous risk often comes down to a few crucial details—especially with perishable foods like meat. One of the most common questions is: can you safely eat meat on its use by date? Let’s dive into what science, food safety authorities, and practical kitchen wisdom have to say.

Essential Highlights

Meat should be consumed on or before the use by date for safety; after this date, the risk of harmful bacteria increases significantly.
Proper storage is critical: meat must be kept continuously refrigerated (below 4°C/40°F) to remain safe up to its use by date.
Freezing before the use by date can extend meat’s safe shelf life indefinitely (as long as it’s kept frozen).
Do not trust only sight or smell: meat can appear and smell fine but still harbor dangerous bacteria past the use by date.
Vulnerable groups (pregnant women, the elderly, babies, and those with weakened immune systems) should be especially cautious with meat freshness.
For more insights on safe meat consumption, visit CanYouEat.co.uk, including their detailed guide on eating meat on the use by date.

What Does the Use By Date Mean?
Is It Safe to Eat Meat On the Use By Date?
Best Practices for Meat Storage and Handling
What About Freezing Meat Before the Use By Date?
Risks and Consequences: Why the Use By Date Matters
FAQs – Your Top Meat Use By Date Questions Answered

What Does the Use By Date Mean?

The “use by” date on meat packaging is an official marker for food safety, not just quality. This date, set by manufacturers and regulated in many countries, is the last day meat is considered safe to eat if it’s been properly stored in the refrigerator. After this point, the risk of bacterial growth rises rapidly—even if the meat looks and smells fine[1][4].

Use by: The final date recommended for safe consumption of the product. Crucially, this relates to safety, not just freshness.
Sell by: This is geared towards retailers and indicates how long a product should be on the store shelf. Consumers should generally use or freeze meat within a few days of the sell by date[1][4].
Best before: Relates to quality, not safety, and is less common on meat.

Never rely on the best before or sell by dates for food safety with meat—always look for the use by date.

Is It Safe to Eat Meat On the Use By Date?

Yes, but only if the meat has been continuously refrigerated and the packaging is intact. On the use by date, meat is still considered safe to cook and eat, but it must not be consumed after that date[1][4].

If you’re planning to cook meat on its use by date, ensure you do so before midnight. Eating it even one day after the use by date significantly increases food poisoning risk.
Trust the use by date over your senses: Spoilage bacteria can alter smell and texture, but pathogenic bacteria (those that make you sick) can multiply without affecting a food’s look or smell[1][4].
If the meat has been left out at room temperature at any point, do not eat it—even if it’s before the use by date.

For more guidance, see CanYouEat.co.uk’s dedicated meat safety section.

Best Practices for Meat Storage and Handling

Proper storage is key to keeping meat safe up to the use by date.

Keep your refrigerator at or below 4°C (40°F) at all times[1][4].
Store meat on the lowest shelf to avoid cross-contamination.
Do not let meat sit out at room temperature—bacteria multiply quickly in the “danger zone” (between 5°C and 60°C, or 41°F–140°F).
Once opened, consume fresh processed meats (like ham or cooked chicken) within 3–7 days, but never past the original use by date[1].
Follow all handling and cooking instructions on packaging to ensure bacteria are killed during cooking. Poultry, pork, and minced meats must be cooked all the way through; steaks and whole joints of beef or lamb can be eaten rare if sealed properly on the outside[2][5].

What About Freezing Meat Before the Use By Date?

Freezing is the best way to extend the safe shelf life of meat.

Freeze meat before the use by date: Once frozen, it can be kept indefinitely from a safety perspective (though quality may decrease over time)[4].
Always thaw meat in the refrigerator, not on the counter, to prevent bacteria growth[4].
Once thawed, cook within 1–2 days and never refreeze raw meat[4].

For a full guide on safe freezing, see advice from The American Heart Association and Safefood.

Risks and Consequences: Why the Use By Date Matters

Ignoring use by dates on meat can have serious health consequences.
Bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria can multiply quickly on meat past its safe window, leading to food poisoning with symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. Some groups—including the elderly, pregnant people, infants, and immunocompromised individuals—are at heightened risk for severe illness[2][5].

Never take chances with meat safety:
– Don’t eat meat after the use by date.
– Don’t taste or smell test old meat.
– Don’t buy meat if you can’t use or freeze it in time.

For more on safe eating practices, visit CanYouEat.co.uk.

FAQs – Your Top Meat Use By Date Questions Answered

Is it okay to cook meat on the use by date if it smells fine?
Yes—if it has been stored properly and used on the exact date, it’s safe. But never eat it after that date, no matter the smell or appearance[1][4].

Can I freeze meat on the use by date?
You can freeze meat right up until the use by date to preserve it. Thaw and cook it promptly once you’re ready to use it[1][4].

What’s the difference between use by and best before dates?
“Use by” concerns safety for perishable foods like meat. “Best before” refers to quality and does not apply to food safety for highly perishable items[1][4][7].

Can I eat cooked leftovers after the use by date of the original meat?
It’s safest to cook meat on or before the use by date. Cooked leftovers can usually be stored for 2–3 days in the fridge. Always use your judgment and proper storage[1].

What should I do if I accidentally ate meat past its use by date?
Monitor yourself for symptoms of food poisoning (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea). If you experience these or are part of a vulnerable group, seek medical advice promptly.

Does vacuum-sealed or packaged meat have a different use by date?
No. The use by date set by the manufacturer is based on the product’s expected safety and applies regardless of packaging, as long as the packaging is intact.

Are there exceptions for certain types of meat?
No. All fresh, perishable meats should be consumed by the use by date. Some processed meats may have a longer shelf life, but always follow labeled instructions and use common sense.

Useful Resources and Further Reading

CanYouEat.co.uk: In-depth articles on what foods you can and can’t eat safely—including meat use by dates.
Safefood – Cooking Meat Safely
American Heart Association – Understanding Expiration Dates
NHS – Meat in Your Diet

For more food safety guides and up-to-date answers to your kitchen questions, visit CanYouEat.co.uk’s full archive. Stay informed, stay safe, and enjoy your meals with confidence!

Can You Eat Meat On The Use By Date