{"id":75096,"date":"2026-06-26T07:19:47","date_gmt":"2026-06-26T07:19:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.linxglobal.com\/?post_type=blog&#038;p=75096"},"modified":"2026-06-26T07:34:32","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T07:34:32","slug":"uk-food-date-coding-guide-2026-best-before-use-by-batch-codes-and-the-right-date-code-printer","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.linxglobal.com\/en-gb\/blog\/uk-food-date-coding-guide-2026-best-before-use-by-batch-codes-and-the-right-date-code-printer\/","title":{"rendered":"UK Food Date Coding Guide: Best Before, Use-By, Batch Codes and the Right Date Code Printer\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">Food date coding is a small detail with&nbsp;a big impact. For UK food manufacturers, packers and retailers, the right code helps protect consumers, reduce waste, support&nbsp;traceability&nbsp;and avoid costly product recalls.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">Whether you are printing a\u00a0<strong>best-before date<\/strong>,\u00a0<strong>use-by date<\/strong>,\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linxglobal.com\/en-gb\/coding-solutions\/coding-types\/batch-coding\/\">batch code<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0or\u00a0<strong>lot number<\/strong>, the information must be clear,\u00a0accurate\u00a0and durable enough to remain readable throughout the product\u2019s shelf life.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">This guide explains the\u00a0<strong>key UK food date coding rules in 2026<\/strong>\u00a0and gives a simple overview of how to choose the right\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linxglobal.com\/en-gb\/coding-solutions\/coding-types\/date-coding\/\">date code printer<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0for your packaging line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-navi-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-d85d88ab2d00d6078a4933c751a95f08\">Why food date coding matters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"683\" width=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.linxglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/LX4418-1-e1782457862715.jpg?w=800\" alt=\"Date coding on glass jar\" class=\"wp-image-75542\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:500px;height:300px\" title=\"Date coding on glass jar\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">Food date coding is not only about meeting labelling requirements. It also supports:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list has-small-font-size\">\n<li>food safety&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>stock rotation&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>product quality&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>retailer compliance&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>traceability&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>withdrawal and recall management&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">A missing,&nbsp;incorrect&nbsp;or unreadable date code can lead to rejected stock, production delays, customer&nbsp;complaints&nbsp;or product recalls. For short shelf-life chilled products, a coding error can become a serious food safety issue.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-navi-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-0e3f23edda3da2fec173404b47684db9\">Best before vs use-by: what is the difference?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"683\" width=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.linxglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/LX3617-e1782457956920.jpg?w=1000\" alt=\"Best before date on a food item\" class=\"wp-image-75553\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:500px;height:300px\" title=\"Best before date on a food item\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"683\" width=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.linxglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/LX3626-e1782458196785.jpg?w=1000\" alt=\"Lot number on a serial packet\" class=\"wp-image-75564\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:500px;height:300px\" title=\"Lot number on a serial packet\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">The most important distinction is simple:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-navi-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color has-small-font-size wp-elements-f16db22ea4f949b880239933e29f3e88\"><strong>Use-by dates are about safety.<\/strong>\u00a0<strong>Best-before\u00a0dates are about quality.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes has-medium-font-size\"><table class=\"has-navi-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Date mark<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Meaning<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Common examples<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Use by<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>The food should not be eaten after this date for safety reasons.&nbsp;<\/td><td>Fresh meat, cooked meats, ready meals, prepared salads, and some&nbsp;dairy products.&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Best before<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>The food may still be safe after this date, but quality may&nbsp;be reduced.&nbsp;<\/td><td>Frozen foods, dried foods, tins, pasta, rice,&nbsp;snacks&nbsp;and some cheeses.&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Best before end \/ BBE<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>Used for longer-life products where month\/year or year may be enough.&nbsp;<\/td><td>Ambient, canned,&nbsp;dried&nbsp;or long shelf-life foods.&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Batch \/ lot code<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>Identifies&nbsp;a production batch for traceability.&nbsp;<\/td><td>Most prepacked foods.&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-navi-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-285e90a3e76b38c1ddb399905d6aca86\">What is a use-by date?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">A&nbsp;<strong>use-by date<\/strong>&nbsp;is required for foods that could become unsafe after&nbsp;a short period, even if they look or smell normal.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">Typical examples include chilled ready meals, fresh meat, poultry, fish, cooked meats, soft&nbsp;cheeses&nbsp;and prepared salads.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">Example formats:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list has-small-font-size\">\n<li class=\"has-small-font-size\">Use by: 23 June 2026&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-small-font-size\">Use by: 23\/06\/2026&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-small-font-size\">Use&nbsp;by:&nbsp;see front of pack&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">For consumer clarity, writing the month in words can help avoid confusion, especially where numeric dates could be misread.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">What is&nbsp;a best-before&nbsp;date?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">A&nbsp;<strong>best-before date<\/strong>&nbsp;tells the customer how long the product is expected to remain at its best quality. After this date, the food may lose&nbsp;flavour, texture,&nbsp;colour&nbsp;or freshness, but it is not automatically unsafe.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">Example formats:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list has-small-font-size\">\n<li>Best before: 23 June 2026&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Best before end: June 2026&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>BBE: 2026&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Best before: see base of pack&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">Best-before dates are common on dry, frozen,&nbsp;canned&nbsp;and longer-life foods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-navi-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-f7427a4977d67436bc23227bdcf83598\">What are batch codes and lot codes?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"683\" width=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.linxglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/LX4177-e1782458262692.jpg?w=1000\" alt=\"Batch code printing on a candy packet\" class=\"wp-image-75575\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:500px;height:300px\" title=\"Batch code printing on a candy packet\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">A&nbsp;<strong>batch code<\/strong>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<strong>lot&nbsp;code<\/strong>&nbsp;identifies&nbsp;a group of products made,&nbsp;packed&nbsp;or processed under similar conditions. This helps a business trace affected products if there is a quality or safety issue.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">Example batch code formats:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list has-small-font-size\">\n<li>L260618A&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>LOT 18JUN26-B&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>BATCH 026170&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>L2 18\/06\/26 SHIFT B&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">In many cases, a clear batch code can reduce the scale of a recall because the business can&nbsp;identify&nbsp;exactly which products are affected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-navi-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-eb7c7c2d302b36707c5f2c47b2ee90aa\">Common food date coding mistakes&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">Food businesses should avoid these common errors:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-small-font-size\"><strong>Using the wrong date mark:<\/strong> Do not use a best-before date if the product needs a use-by date for safety reasons.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-small-font-size\"><strong>Printing unclear dates: <\/strong>Avoid formats that consumers may misunderstand. A date such as\u00a006\/07\/26\u00a0can be confusing without context.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-small-font-size\"><strong>Manual date entry errors:<\/strong> Typing dates manually increases the risk of wrong days,\u00a0months\u00a0or years. Stored templates and automatic date calculation can reduce mistakes.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-small-font-size\"><strong>Poor print placement:<\/strong> Codes printed on seals, folds, dark\u00a0artwork\u00a0or curved areas may become hard to read.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-small-font-size\"><strong>Codes that rub off: <\/strong>Food packaging may face chilling, freezing, condensation,\u00a0handling\u00a0and transport. The code must remain legible.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-small-font-size\"><strong>Missing batch traceability:<\/strong> A date alone may not provide enough traceability for every production environment. A separate lot or batch code is often useful.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-navi-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-ed8feac43c2bde7de833fa6ba59556c4\">Choosing the right food coding printer\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">The right\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linxglobal.com\/en-gb\/coding-solutions\/industries\/food-industry\/\">food date code printer<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0depends on your packaging type, line speed,\u00a0environment\u00a0and code requirements. You do not need the most advanced printer; you need the one that prints clearly and reliably on your actual product.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes has-medium-font-size\"><table class=\"has-navi-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Printer type<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Best for<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linxglobal.com\/en-gb\/products\/cij-printers\/\">Continuous inkjet\/ CIJ<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>Fast lines, bottles, cans, jars, pouches,&nbsp;trays&nbsp;and curved surfaces.&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linxglobal.com\/en-gb\/products\/tj-series\/\"><strong>Thermal inkjet \/ TIJ<\/strong>\u00a0<\/a><\/td><td>Cartons, labels,&nbsp;sleeves&nbsp;and high-resolution text or barcodes.&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linxglobal.com\/en-gb\/products\/tto-printer\/\">Thermal transfer\/ TTO<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>Flexible films, flow-wrap, VFFS bags and lidding&nbsp;film.&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linxglobal.com\/en-gb\/products\/laser-coders\/\">Laser coding<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>Permanent, ink-free marks on suitable materials.&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linxglobal.com\/en-gb\/products\/large-character-marking-printers\/\">Large character marking printers \/case coders<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><td>Outer cases, cardboard boxes,\u00a0pallets\u00a0and\u00a0logistics\u00a0labels.\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">UK food date coding in 2026 comes down to three essentials: <strong>accuracy,\u00a0legibility\u00a0and traceability<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">A&nbsp;<strong>use-by date<\/strong>&nbsp;protects consumers from unsafe food. A&nbsp;<strong>best-before&nbsp;date<\/strong>&nbsp;protects product quality expectations. A&nbsp;<strong>batch or&nbsp;lot&nbsp;code<\/strong>&nbsp;helps your business trace products quickly if something goes wrong.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">The right&nbsp;<strong>date code printer<\/strong>&nbsp;should make this process easier, not more complicated. Choose a system that works with your packaging, your production&nbsp;speed&nbsp;and your compliance needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-navi-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-13947ace880f931d6461f73fcf0afaca\">Take Actions Now:&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-small-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linxglobal.com\/en-gb\/sample-printing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Request a Print Sample\u202f<\/a>to see the solution in action\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-small-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linxglobal.com\/en-gb\/support\/documentation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Download Product Brochure<\/a>\u202ffor detailed specifications\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-small-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linxglobal.com\/en-gb\/contact-us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Talk to an Expert<\/a>\u202fto find the right coding solution for your retail operations\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Food date coding is a small detail with&nbsp;a big impact. For UK food manufacturers, packers and retailers, the right code helps protect consumers, reduce waste, support&nbsp;traceability&nbsp;and avoid costly product recalls.&nbsp; Whether you are printing a\u00a0best-before date,\u00a0use-by date,\u00a0batch code\u00a0or\u00a0lot number, the information must be clear,\u00a0accurate\u00a0and durable enough to remain readable throughout the product\u2019s shelf life.\u00a0 This guide explains the\u00a0key UK food date<a class=\"moretag\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linxglobal.com\/en-gb\/blog\/uk-food-date-coding-guide-2026-best-before-use-by-batch-codes-and-the-right-date-code-printer\/\"> Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":44,"featured_media":75542,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-75096","blog","type-blog","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"exclude_from_html_sitemap":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin 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