Can You Eat Sausages After the Use-By Date?
Written by Jordan Morley · Reviewed against FSA date labelling guidance · Last updated 28 October 2026
No. Sausages have a use-by date, which is about safety, not quality. Don't eat them after the date, even if they look and smell fine.
Why the use-by date matters
A use-by date is a safety deadline. Raw meat carries bacteria such as Salmonella, Campylobacter and E. coli, depending on the meat. They are present at low levels at purchase and keep multiplying as the days pass, even in the fridge. 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 sausages alongside their safety information.
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Sausages: the other answers on this site
| Question | Short answer (links to the full page) |
|---|---|
| In pregnancy | Safe if fully cooked |
| Reheating | Yes — once only |
| Left out overnight | No — throw it away (limit about 2 h) |
Common questions
Can I eat sausages 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.
Can I cook sausages thoroughly to make it safe after the date?
No. The FSA says not to eat, cook or freeze food after its use-by date. Cooking kills many bacteria, but you can't tell by looking or smelling whether the food was already unsafe (the FSA says people can't always smell the bugs that cause food poisoning), and some bacteria produce heat-stable toxins that cooking does not destroy.
Can I freeze sausages 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 1–2 months for best quality. Defrost in the fridge and use within 24 hours (FSA).
How long does sausages keep if there's no label?
In the fridge at 5°C or below, USDA FoodKeeper gives 1–2 days for fresh sausages. If the pack has a use-by date, always follow that, since it applies to the product as sold.
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.