Can You Eat Yoghurt After the Use-By Date?
Written by Jordan Morley · Reviewed against FSA date labelling guidance · Last updated 28 October 2026
It depends on the label. Some yoghurts carry a use-by date (do not eat after it) and others a best-before date (quality only). We found both on UK shelves: check which one yours says.
Why the label matters
UK yoghurts are not labelled the same way. On retailer product pages we read, Fage Total says 'Use By: See Lid', while Yeo Valley says 'For best before date, see lid'. WRAP, reported by Which? in April 2020, says the same: depending on the brand, yoghurt has either a best-before or a use-by date. The rule that follows is simple: a use-by date is a safety deadline; a best-before date is about quality.
You can also check the calorie content of yoghurt alongside its safety information.
Two real yoghurts, two different labels
Many sites say yoghurt 'has a use-by date'. UK shelves show something less tidy. We read two retailer product pages and they differ:
| Product (retailer page read) | Date wording | Once opened |
|---|---|---|
| Fage Total 0% Fat Greek Recipe Yogurt 450g (Tesco) | 'Use By: See Lid' | 'Consume within 5 days' |
| Yeo Valley Organic Greek Style Natural Yogurt 450g (Sainsbury's) | 'For best before date, see lid' | Eat within 3 days |
Only two products, so this proves that labels vary, not that every brand of either kind behaves this way. WRAP, reported by Which? (April 2020), also says yoghurt has either a best-before or a use-by date depending on the brand.
What to do after the date
| Your pot says | After the date | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Use By | Do not eat it | A use-by date is a safety deadline; WRAP's advice (via Which?) is that food is never safe past its use-by date. The FSA also says (via Out-Law) a sniff test is not reliable for use-by foods |
| Best Before | Check it: look, smell, taste | A best-before date is about quality. Throw it away if it smells off, has mould, or has changed texture sharply |
| Opened | Follow the 'eat within' days on the pot | Both pots above set their own opened-pot limit, 3 days and 5 days, and the limit applies even before the date |
Freezing and cooking
Plain yoghurt goes grainy when thawed, so freeze it only for cooking or smoothies. See freezing yoghurt. For pregnancy, see yoghurt in pregnancy.
Sources checked
Everything in the sections above was checked against these pages on 28 October 2026.
- Tesco: Fage Total 0% Fat Greek Recipe Yogurt 450g (product page) — Use By: See Lid; consume within 5 days once opened
- Sainsbury's: Yeo Valley Organic Greek Style Natural Yogurt 450g (product page) — For best before date, see lid; eat within 3 days once opened
- Which?: Is it ever safe to keep foods after their best before and use by dates? (published 3 April 2020, updated 9 April 2020; reporting WRAP advice) — WRAP: yoghurt has either a best-before or a use-by date depending on brand
- Pinsent Masons (Out-Law): Morrisons' new milk labelling may not pass the FSA's sniff test (January 2022) — FSA: sniff test not reliable for use-by foods
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More storage essentials
Yoghurt: the other answers on this site
| Question | Short answer (links to the full page) |
|---|---|
| In pregnancy | Safe |
| In the fridge (Yoghurt (Opened)) | 1–2 weeks in the fridge |
| In the freezer | Yes — but texture changes |
| Left out overnight | No — throw it away (limit about 2 h) |
Common questions
Does yoghurt have a use-by or a best-before date?
Both exist. Fage Total's Tesco page says 'Use By: See Lid' and Yeo Valley's Sainsbury's page says 'For best before date, see lid'. Read your own pack.
Can I eat yoghurt 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 freeze yoghurt 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 yoghurt keep in the fridge?
USDA FoodKeeper gives 1–2 weeks 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.
Do all yoghurts have a use-by date?
No. Fage Total's Tesco page says 'Use By: See Lid' and Yeo Valley's Sainsbury's page says 'For best before date, see lid'. Check your own pot.
How long does opened yoghurt last?
The pots we read said 3 days (Yeo Valley) and 5 days (Fage Total) once opened. Follow your own 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.