Use by dates on spices and herbs

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Apologies if this has been done recently, but how much longer would you use dried herbs after their use by date?
I have extra jars of dried thyme and rosemary at the back of the cupboard, unopened, and they have a BB date of Aug '09 and wondered

1. if they would be ok to use
2. if ok, how long past the use by would you think they were ok seeing as I'm unlikely to use them in the next week or two

TIA

I've just finished a jar off with a use by date of 2008. The flavour wasn't as good, but there isn't anything poisonous about old dried herbs. I personally think that it's all a con by the supermarkets, as the dates of my new jars seem really soon, and they must know that hardly anyone will finish off a far of dried rosemary in less than a year.

Best before or use by? I'm guessing it's best before in which case I'd use them still and wouldn't have an issue using them at ayear or more past their date, unless they smelt bad (musty / damp etc).

You might find the flavour isn't as strong as they're a bit old, so might need to add more, but taste and see

If it's use by that's different and I'd (probably) chuck them, but unlikely to be use by on herbs

Sorry, yes it's best before. I would think they won't go off but won't be as effective if used after BB dates, so thanks to you both for backing up what I thought - that they are perfectly fine even if not quite as effective once past the best before.

They won't go off or bad or anything, they won't make you ill if you use them, they will just have lost a lot of their flavour so might be worthless to use. If they are sealed though they will be a lot fresher than if the packet has been open for years.