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Ablaufdatum
/ˈaplaʊ̯fˌdaːtʊm/
expiration date
Bitte prüfen Sie das Ablaufdatum vor dem Kauf.
Please check the expiration date before purchasing.
Business
formal
The date after which a product (especially food or medicine) should not be consumed or used because it may be unsafe or ineffective.
Die Milch hat gestern ihr Ablaufdatum überschritten.
The milk passed its expiration date yesterday.
Das Medikament ist nach Ablaufdatum nicht mehr wirksam.
The medication is no longer effective after the expiration date.
In Germany, 'Ablaufdatum' is strictly used for perishable goods like meat, fish, and ready-to-eat meals where safety is a concern. For other foods, 'Mindesthaltbarkeitsdatum' (best before) is more common.
Collocations
Ablaufdatum prüfencheck the expiration dateAblaufdatum überschreitenpass the expiration date
Synonyms
Pro Tip
Safety vs. Quality
Use 'Ablaufdatum' only for products where consumption after the date poses a health risk (e.g., fresh meat, baby food). For bread, canned goods, or snacks, use 'Mindesthaltbarkeitsdatum' (best before).
Gold Rule
Legal Distinction
In German law, 'Ablaufdatum' is mandatory for highly perishable foods. Confusing it with 'Mindesthaltbarkeitsdatum' can lead to legal issues for manufacturers and confusion for consumers.
Word Origin
Compound of 'Ablauf' (flow out, expiry, process) and 'Datum' (date). 'Ablauf' comes from 'ab-' (off, away) and 'Lauf' (flow, run).
Usage Notes
Distinguish between 'Ablaufdatum' (use by/safety critical) and 'Mindesthaltbarkeitsdatum' (best before/quality critical). Using 'Ablaufdatum' for non-perishable items is technically incorrect in German legal/food safety contexts.
Word Breakdown
Ablauf
expiry, expiration, flow out
rootDatum
date
rootDeutsch-Englisch Wörterbuch