What is the expiry date?
kwa-LE la DA-ta di ska-DEN-tsa
Checking the expiry date of a product before buying.
Italian consumers pay close attention to expiry dates. There are two types of labels: 'da consumarsi entro' (best before, mandatory for perishables — must not be sold after) and 'da consumarsi preferibilmente entro' (best before, for shelf-stable goods). Understanding the distinction matters.
Quando scade?
When does it expire?
Short, common version
È ancora buono?
Is it still good?
More casual check on freshness
Questo ha una scadenza lunga?
Does this have a long shelf life?
Asking about longer-term storage potential
Italian law distinguishes clearly between 'da consumarsi entro' (mandatory expiry — food must not be sold or consumed after this date) and 'da consumarsi preferibilmente entro' (best before — product may still be safe but quality may decline). Supermarkets regularly discount near-expiry items.