Key Takeaways
- FEFO prioritizes expiration date over receipt date, critical when batches have varying shelf lives.
- Industries like food, pharma, and cosmetics require FEFO for regulatory compliance and waste reduction.
- Odoo automatically selects lots with the nearest expiry for outgoing operations when FEFO is configured.
FEFO vs FIFO vs LIFO: Choosing the Right Strategy
| Strategy | Prioritizes | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| FEFO | Earliest expiration date | Perishable goods (food, pharma, cosmetics) |
| FIFO | Earliest receipt date | Non-perishable goods, general warehouse |
| LIFO | Latest receipt date | Bulk commodities, specific accounting needs |
FEFO and FIFO often produce the same result when products arrive and expire in the same order. FEFO matters when a recently received batch has a shorter shelf life than older stock (different suppliers, formulations, or storage conditions).
Regulatory Requirement
FDA regulations for food and pharma, EU GDP guidelines, and GMP standards often mandate FEFO or equivalent expiry-based picking. Non-compliance can result in product recalls and regulatory penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
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