Use-by, best-before or sell-by. R146 of 2010 gives you the three date types, but it does not tell you which one your product needs, and that decision is where most South African manufacturers guess. Ask one question first: if this product is eaten a day after the date on the pack, is the risk a safety risk or a quality disappointment? If the answer is safety, a use-by date is not optional.
Where the date actually comes from
The date type tells you what kind of date to use. A shelf-life study is what tells you how long, combining microbiological testing, physicochemical testing (pH, water activity) and sensory evaluation. Real-time studies are the gold standard; accelerated testing can shorten the timeline when applied correctly for the specific deterioration mechanism.
What the course covers
- How to choose the right date type for your product category
- Designing and running a real-time or accelerated shelf-life study
- Building the audit-ready evidence file behind your date, for FSSC 22000, BRCGS and retailer audits
4½ hours, self-paced, lifetime access. Learn to plan and defend the study behind your dates.
Enrol in the Shelf-Life Study course → Compare all labelling & shelf-life coursesFor the full legal breakdown of best-before versus use-by under South African food law, see ASC’s guide: best before vs use by.