Understanding Food Labels: “Consume Within” and Shelf Life After Opening0

• A to Z, Food Hygiene, Food Safety, Health & Wellness
• May 28, 2025

When buying packaged food, you’ll often see two expiry instructions: one for how long the product lasts unopened, and another for how soon it should be consumed once opened. This dual labelling can feel confusing, but it is vital for keeping food safe and fresh. Before opening, airtight packaging and preservatives protect the product, but