What does 'including but not limited to' mean?

Answer 1

It means that something is likely to include whatever is described, however, there could be more that is just not listed here.

For example, if I say that toxins that could be in product X include but are not limited to alfatoxin, botulinum toxin, etc., that means that alfatoxin and botilinum toxin are likely to be in product X, but there could be more.

Answer 2

When a person is trying to communicate something and provides an example list as part of this communication, the list could be "exhaustive" (it includes everything) or "partial" (not everything is included). In the latter case to make it clear that the list soul not be taken as an exhaustive list, the person may start the list by saying "including but not limited to"

For instance:-

We are a shop the sells old fashioned sweets, including but not limited to, Mint Humbugs, Aniseed balls, Gob Stoppers, Rock Sticks, Boiled Sweets and Toffee.

Answer 3

It is, in the words of a lawyer, a set of weasel words. It is intended to be a vague statement that allows things that weren't contemplated to be governed by the contract. My company will not accept that term in an agreement, if you want it, you have to specify.