What is the term for the date by which food should be consumed?

The correct term for the date by which food should be consumed is the expiration date. This date indicates the last day that the food product is guaranteed to be at its best quality and will be safe to eat. After this date, the food might not be harmful, but its taste, texture, or nutrient content may be compromised.

Understanding expiration dates is significant for consumers because it helps ensure that foods are consumed while still safe and of high quality. While other terms like "manufacture date," "sell-by date," and "quality assurance date" have their own definitions and purposes, they do not indicate the precise cutoff for safe consumption in the same way that the expiration date does. The manufacture date refers to when the food was produced, the sell-by date indicates how long the product should be displayed for sale, and the quality assurance date relates to a standard for quality rather than safety for consumption.