CAA defines “Used by Date” and “Best Before Date” in Japan.

In April 2011, Japans CAA i.e. Consumers Affair Agency clarified the use of "Used by Date" and "Best Before Date" which are generally misunderstood by consumers while purchasing various commodities. They revised the rule in Volume 2 of the Q & A book in order to clarify the issues facing by consumers. The Q & A book is generally used as an operational guideline and serves as a reference for processed foods and manufacturers as well as importers.

Below mentioned are few major issues in this revision.

1. Clarifying the meaning of "Used by Date" and "Best Before Date"
Under current Japanese law, there are 2 types of date marking for processed foods in Japan. The first type of date marking requires a "Use by Date" which is intended for foods that tend to have a relatively short life (5 days or shorter). This includes food found at delicatessens, boxed lunches, sandwiches and other prepared food and meals.
The date is labeled on the package in a year-month-date format. Some manufacturers also choose to add a "use by time" and list their conditions under which this date marking is applicable. "Use by Date" and "Use by Time" type of date marking indicates that the product should not be consumed after the date mentioned on the label.
The second type is the "Best before Date" which is applicable to products with a long shelf-life such as processed foods, frozen foods etc. The "Best before Date" indicates the date or month that the initial quality of the product can be expected to be maintained if stored under the conditions or temperature specified on the package. The year-month-date format is used for products that need to be consumed by or before 3 months, if the expected duration of the product is more than 3 months then the best before date must appear in the year-month format.
Most US and Indian products are labeled "Best before Date" because of its long shelf life.
The "Used by Date" and "Best Before Date" are only good prior to opening the package. Once the package is opened, CAA recommends that the food be consumed ASAP.
2. Promoting the listing of information for storage condition of products
CAA encourages manufacturers to provide information to consumers by including instructions in each package to advice consumers to quickly consume the product after breaking the package seal.
Manufacturers are advised to mention the best before date in yyyy-mm-dd format and mention on package that the date is good with the condition that it is intact air-sealed package. Manufacturers are also recommended that they should include additional information which would help consumers indicate quality deterioration of products such as the color of food, change in flavor, expansion of package etc.


3. Manufacturers/Distributers cannot extend a date marking once set, even it if is scientifically rational.
   
CAA has sent out a clear message that it is illegal to extend a date marking once it is set by the manufacturer. There were several such incidents that were put to notice to CAA in the past due to which this rule has been mentioned in the Q & A book.