最佳食用日期（Best before），或称此日期前最佳，是食品制造商或包装商为其食品或饮品所标示的一个日期，告知消费者在哪个日期之前能保持其产品的质素。过了这个日期的产品，会被移离商店的货架不再售卖，但这些产品未必会变坏，只是不够新鲜。这点是与「此日期前食用」（use by）最主要的不同的地方。很多国家并未将售卖过了最佳食用日期的产品列作违法行为。

最佳食用日期通常用于不易变坏的食品，最常见的例子为面包、即食面和薯片等。

Shelf life is the length of time that a commodity may be stored without becoming unfit for use, consumption, or sale. In other words, it might refer to whether a commodity should no longer be on a pantry shelf (unfit for use), or just no longer on a supermarket shelf (unfit for sale, but not yet unfit for use). It applies to cosmetics, foods and beverages, medical devices, medicines, explosives, pharmaceutical drugs, chemicals, car tires, batteries, and many other perishable items. In some regions, an advisory best before, mandatory use by, or freshness date is required on packaged perishable foods.