Most people are reluctant to eat certain food products that have passed expiration dates. Though some countries are 2 types of expiration dates, and the best before date expired. What's the difference?
Rules on this vary in each country, but on the set is the distribution and sales. That is, products that have passed the expiration date at all should not be distributed and sold.
While the difference between the two terms are located at the level of safety for consumption. Although there is no guarantee from the manufacturer or distributor, consumers still can decide for themselves whether or not the product is used.
Quoted from Betterhealth, Monday (09/08/2010), the term best before showing the limits of a product are guaranteed quality. The quality and nutritional content would decrease after that date passed, but not necessarily harmful to health as long as the packaging is intact.
To stay could be used, the product must be stored in a certain way according to the instructions included. For example, should be stored in a cool, dry or protected from direct sunlight.
Because it is not guaranteed by the manufacturer, assessment is only based on common sense or the looks from the outside. For example, if moldy or experience change in taste and color, then the product should not be consumed.
Meanwhile, the term expired use-by date or be used for products that cause direct health risks when it passed the date indicated. Usually imprinted on the products that are unstable or easily damaged in the long-term storage, for example meat and some types of cheese.
Expired use-by date and is the boundary that is relatively more assertive than the best before. With health and safety reasons, do not ever eat food products that have passed the limit expired or used-by date.
For more safe anymore, do not buy products that have passed their expiration date. Applicable regulations prohibit anyone trade food that has expired, either expressed or expired with a best before date.
source: (http://www.detikhealth.com/read/2010/08/09/081539/1416088/766/masih-bisakah-produk-makanan-kedaluwarsa-dikonsumsi)