Can You Use Cream After the Use-By Date?
Written by Jordan Morley · Reviewed against FSA date labelling guidance · Last updated 28 October 2026
No. Cream has a use-by date, which is about safety, not quality. Don't use it after the date, even if it looks and smells fine.
Why the use-by date matters
A use-by date is a safety deadline. For milk and dairy the date reflects how long the maker has tested the product to stay safe and good, sealed and kept chilled as the label says. Past it, the maker no longer vouches for it. The date is how long the manufacturer has tested the food to be safe when stored as the label says. The FSA's advice is not to eat, cook or freeze food after its use-by date, since food can look and smell normal while it is unsafe. The date means 'up to and including' that day, provided the food has been kept as the label says. A best-before date, by contrast, is only about quality.
You can also check the calorie content of cream alongside its safety information.
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Cream: the other answers on this site
| Question | Short answer (links to the full page) |
|---|---|
| Left out overnight | No — throw it away (limit about 2 h) |
Common questions
Can I use cream on the use-by date itself?
Yes: the use-by date is the last day it is safe, as long as it has been stored as the label says (usually in the fridge at 5°C or below) and, once opened, used within any 'use within' time on the pack. The day after, it is past the date.
Is it safe if I only open the cream a day after the date?
No. The date applies whether or not the pack is opened. Once opened, follow the 'use within X days' instruction too.
Can I freeze cream on its use-by date?
Yes, as long as you freeze it on or before the date, not after. Freezing pauses the clock. USDA FoodKeeper suggests about 3–4 months for best quality. Defrost in the fridge and use within 24 hours (FSA).
How long does cream keep in the fridge?
USDA FoodKeeper gives 10 days in the fridge for this type of food, but the date on your pack is the limit to follow, and once opened, follow any 'use within X days of opening' instruction.
What is the difference between use-by and best-before?
Use-by is about safety: do not eat after it. Best-before is about quality: the food is often fine after it, just past its best. Check which one is on your label.
Related answers
Primary source: FSA date labelling guidance.
General information only, not medical advice: see the medical disclaimer. Feeling unwell after eating something? Contact NHS 111 or your GP.