What does "shelf life" refer to?

Shelf life specifically refers to the length of time food remains safe for consumption, which encompasses factors like food safety, quality, and nutritional value. It indicates the period during which the food maintains its intended safety and quality when stored under recommended conditions. Understanding shelf life is critical for preventing foodborne illnesses and ensuring that consumers do not eat spoiled or unsafe food.

The other options relate to processing or storage conditions rather than the safety and quality span of food products. For example, the time a product is displayed in-store, the duration meat stays refrigerated, and the defrosting time pertain to different aspects of food handling but do not directly reflect the concept of shelf life as it pertains to food safety.