Can You Eat Honey After the Best-Before Date?
Written by Jordan Morley · Reviewed against FSA date labelling guidance · Last updated 28 October 2026
Honey is effectively immortal — it's fine indefinitely after its best-before date. Crystallised honey isn't off; a warm water bath returns it to liquid.
Why it's usually fine past the date
A best-before date tells you when honey is at its best — not when it becomes unsafe. Foods with best-before dates are ones where deterioration is gradual and visible: staling, softening, fading flavour. The FSA confirms food is generally fine to eat after its best-before date, and using sensible judgement here also cuts food waste. The look-smell-taste check is your guide: if it seems normal, it's fine.
You can also check the calorie content of honey alongside its safety information.
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Waste less, safely
Airtight storage containers
Opened food lasts longest sealed properly, not in a folded-over packet.
Check Price →Bread bin
Cool, dark and ventilated — bread's best-before does more work in one.
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More storage essentials
Honey: the other answers on this site
| Question | Short answer (links to the full page) |
|---|---|
| In pregnancy | Safe |
| Left out overnight | Yes — generally fine |
Common questions
Does honey expire?
Not in practice. Honey's low water and acidity stop bacteria, so the date is about quality. It may crystallise or darken.
How do I fix crystallised honey?
Stand the jar in warm (not boiling) water and stir. It is the same honey.
Can babies eat old honey?
No honey for babies under 12 months, new or old (NHS), because of the risk of infant botulism.
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. Honey carries best-before.
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.