Shelf life (bǎo zhì qī) [guarantee period] The shelf life of a product is the period of quality assurance of the product under normal conditions. The shelf life of a product is provided by the producer and is labeled on the product for limited use. During the shelf life, the producer of the product is responsible for the quality of the product in accordance with the relevant standards or quality conditions of the express warranty, so that sellers can sell these products with confidence and consumers can use them safely.

Food often said shelf life and freshness period although only a word difference, but there is a big difference.

Shelf life refers to the best-before date for a food product, so sometimes foods that have exceeded their shelf life but have not changed can still be eaten.

But food that is past its shelf life should not be eaten because it may spoil.