Originally Posted by Nugget

In fairness, the use by date is there for a very good reason - it's directly related to food safety. I work for a chilled fish supplier, and you'd be astonished how much the levels of potentially dangerous micro organisms can grow from the day of the use by date to the day after - I'm actually a complete nazi when it comes to getting rid of food that has a use by date, because I know how bad it can be.

In my opinion, best before is slightly misleading, but only people because don't have enough information - the phrase itself properly explains that it's only at best quality before, so may well be fine after that date, but that's why it's displayed as a month (and year if applicable). There really is a good reason why the use by shown on pack is a specific date