If you’ve just moved to Korea or you’ve been living here a while, you might have looked at a food package and thought, “What exactly does this date mean?”
Good news — as of 2024, Korean food labeling has become much clearer.
The confusing mix of 제조일 (manufacturing date) and 유통기한 (expiry date) is now mostly gone, replaced by one easy-to-understand term: 소비기한.
This guide will help you understand what 소비기한 means, how to read food labels properly, and how Korea’s system compares to other countries.
Table of Contents :
- Korean Food Labels in 2025: What's Changed?
- What Does '소비기한 (so-bi-gi-han)' Mean?
- How to Read Korean Food Labels
- Online Shopping and Delivery Tips
- Why '별도표기' Can Be Confusing
- How Does Korea Compare to Other Countries?
- Tips for Expats: Reading Labels Like a Local
- Bonus: Label Quiz – Can You Guess These?
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Korean Food Labels in 2025: What's Changed?
Korean food labels used to vary — some showed the manufacturing date, others an expiry date, often without clear explanation. This caused confusion for everyone, especially foreigners.
To fix this, Korea introduced 소비기한 (Use-by Date) in 2023. It became mandatory for all food products in 2024. By 2025, nearly everything now shows 소비기한 clearly.
You might still spot old stock or imports with 유통기한, but that’s becoming rare.
What Does '소비기한 (so-bi-gi-han)' Mean?
소비기한 is the final date a food product is safe to consume. If you eat it after this date, there may be health risks.
Let’s compare it to the old term:
| Term | Korean | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 소비기한 | Use-by Date | Safe-to-eat limit. Eat before this date. |
| 유통기한 | Expiry Date | Allowed sales period. Might still be safe after. |
Before 2024, many people in Korea misunderstood 유통기한 as the last safe date. This led to good food being thrown away too early. That’s why the government changed to 소비기한 — to protect consumers and reduce waste.
So remember: 소비기한 = eat by this date!
How to Read Korean Food Labels
Now that most products show 소비기한, finding the date is easier — but the location and format can still vary by product type. Here’s how to spot it:
🔳 Dairy and Beverages
Usually printed on the top or cap.
Example:
소비기한: 2025.06.15
🔳 Ready-to-eat Meals
Printed on plastic wrap or sticker, near the heating instructions or barcode.
Often next to microwave time labels.
🔳 Frozen Foods
Found near the seal or on the front of the bag.
Might appear as:
소비기한은 앞면에 표시
Tip: For items with labels on seals or removable parts, taking a quick photo before opening can be helpful. It’s not necessary for everything, but good for anything you plan to store for a while.
Online groceries like Coupang or Market Kurly also list 소비기한 in the product description. But the actual package might show a slightly different date, so always double-check when the item arrives.
🔵 Useful Korean Phrases on Labels
소비기한: Use-by date
제조일: Manufacturing date (rare now)
표시일까지: Until the printed date
포장지 앞면/뒷면 ( or 전면/후면) : Front/back of the package (can vary)
일괄표시: Batch labeling (used for groups of similar products)
별도표기: See other part of the package
개봉 후 냉장보관: Refrigerate after opening
Online Shopping and Delivery Tips
If you’re ordering groceries online, it’s a good habit to check the product listing for 소비기한. Most platforms like Coupang, Kurly, and SSG display the date in the 상세정보 (product details) section.
But sometimes, the date on the actual item might differ slightly depending on stock rotation. When your delivery arrives:
Check the date immediately and compare with the order info
Take a photo only if the label is likely to be lost or damaged — like on refill packs or plastic seals
If storing food in bulk, label containers yourself
Some packages may have a sticker on the side or on the plastic seal. Be careful — opening the package can tear off the label. In that case, it’s best to note the date right away.
⚠️ Why '별도 표기' Can Be Confusing
Some packages don't print the date directly but say things like:
- “소비기한은 별도 표시” (See elsewhere for use-by date)
- “뚜껑에 표시일까지” / “전면에 표시일까지” (Use by the date marked on the cap/front)
In these cases, the date may be found on the side, cap, or bottom. If you're dealing with refill packs or sealed items, the label could be on the removable portion — and once that’s gone, so is your only clue.
📌 Always check the entire package before discarding any part.
How Does Korea Compare to Other Countries?
Let’s see how Korean food labeling compares to the systems used in other countries:
| Country | Labeling Terms | Notes |
| 🇺🇸 USA | Use By / Sell By / Best By | No legal standard. Often just a quality guide. |
| 🇬🇧 UK | Use By / Best Before | “Use By” = safety; “Best Before” = quality. |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | 消費期限 / 賞味期限 | Very similar to Korea’s system. |
| 🇫🇷 France | À consommer jusqu’au / de préférence avant | Mandatory safety-based use-by date. |
Fun fact: Korea’s system is now among the clearest and strictest in Asia. It’s designed to make life easier for consumers, not just retailers.
Tips for Expats: Reading Labels Like a Local
Even if you don’t speak Korean fluently, here are smart tips to make sure you’re reading food labels correctly:
If the label seems fragile or easy to tear off, snap a photo when you unpack it.
Use Papago or Google Lens to translate Korean labels instantly.
Write the date in English on the package with a marker.
For bulk items, label containers with the use-by date.
Always check if the product has been opened before — some only last a few days after opening.
When shopping online, check the 상세정보 (detailed info) section for 소비기한. If it’s missing, you can request it from customer service.
Remember: most products don’t include both 제조일 and 소비기한 anymore. If you see only a number and no label, it’s almost always the 소비기한.
Bonus: Label Quiz – Can You Guess These?
Here are some sample labels you might encounter. Can you guess what they mean?
소비기한: 2025.08.12→ This is the clear use-by date.제조일: 2025.04.01 / 소비기한: 6개월→ You must calculate from 제조일 (April 1 + 6 months = October 1).표시일까지: 2025.07.01→ The actual date should appear somewhere else on the package.유통기한: 2023.11.30→ This is from an old product. Not standard anymore.
Challenge yourself: Next time you're shopping, try spotting and interpreting each label before translating it!
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What happens if I eat food after the 소비기한?
A: It’s not recommended. The product might look okay, but it could be unsafe.
Q: Can I still find 유통기한 on products?
A: Only on very old stock or imported goods. It’s rare in 2025.
Q: Why doesn’t Korea use “Best Before”?
A: “Best Before” focuses on quality, not safety. Korea wants consumers to know when food is no longer safe.
Q: What if there’s only a number and no label?
A: If the label is from 2024 or later, it’s probably the 소비기한.
Q: How can I ask a Korean shop clerk about the date?
A: Try this: "이거 소비기한이 언제까지예요?" (When is the use-by date for this?)
Korea’s shift to 소비기한 is a great step forward. It helps reduce food waste and gives consumers clear information about what’s safe to eat.
Now that you know how to read Korean food labels, you can feel confident in your shopping decisions. Look for the 소비기한, double-check before eating, and you’ll be just fine.
Whether you’re new to Korea or have been here for years, understanding this small part of daily life will make your experience smoother and safer.
💡 Bookmark this post or share it with a friend who just moved to Korea. It could save them a lot of confusion — and maybe even a stomachache!
