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In Japan, there are two types of expiration dates displayed on food products: 賞味期限 (shomikigen) and 消費期限 (shohikigen).
1. 賞味期限 (Shoumi Kigen)
– 「賞味」 (shoumi) means “taste” or “flavor,” and 「期限」 (kigen) means “limit” or “deadline.”
– 賞味期限 indicates the period during which the food is at its best quality and flavor.
– If a product has a 賞味期限 date printed on it, it means the food can still be consumed after this date without any health risks, although the flavor and quality may deteriorate.
– However, even though it may not be harmful to your health, it’s best not to eat products that are too far past their 賞味期限 date.
2. 消費期限 (Shouhi Kigen)
– 「消費」 (shouhi) means “consumption” or “usage.”
– 消費期限 refers to the expiration date by which the food must be consumed.
– If a product has a 消費期限 date printed on it, it means that eating it after this date could pose health risks.
– After the 消費期限, the food is not only likely to lose its flavor but could also spoil and become unsafe to eat.
Important Notes:
When buying food, always check the expiration dates carefully.
– For items labeled with 消費期限, make sure to consume them within the specified period. If the date has passed, it’s safer to throw the product away rather than risking your health.
– For foods labeled with 賞味期限, you can still eat them after the date, but try to avoid consuming them if they’ve been expired for a long time.
Lastly, once a food package has been opened, it’s best to consume it as soon as possible—regardless of whether it’s labeled with 賞味期限 or 消費期限.
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How to order food in Japanese
Japanese vocabulary on food packaging
