# FEFO (First Expired, First Out)

*Last updated: 2026-06-26*

> A pharmaceutical distributor receives weekly drug batches with vastly different expiration dates.

A pharmaceutical distributor receives weekly drug batches with vastly different expiration dates. Under FEFO (First Expired, First Out), the batch closest to its expiry is picked and shipped first—regardless of when it arrived in the warehouse. This method is standard, and often legally required, in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics supply chains because it reduces spoilage, write-offs, and liability exposure from expired goods reaching end customers. Unlike FIFO, which follows arrival sequence, FEFO prioritises shelf life; the two can produce identical results only when older stock also expires sooner, which is not always the case. Warehouse management systems (WMS) automate FEFO logic to eliminate manual selection errors and support regulatory audit trails.

**Source:** [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FEFO](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FEFO)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | FEFO (First Expired, First Out) |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 111 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-26 |
| Source | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FEFO |

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