Food Date Labels Explained: Best By, Use By and Sell By, and How to Tell if Food Is Still Good

You open the fridge and find a carton of yogurt that passed its date yesterday, a package of cheese dated last week and a jar of salsa with no idea when it was opened. Do you throw them away? Many people do, and a large share of household food waste comes from confusion about date labels. At the same time, some foods really do become unsafe after a certain point. Understanding what the dates on packages mean, and what they do not mean, helps you keep your family safe while wasting less food and money. This guide explains the common labels, how to judge food quality and which foods deserve the most caution.

Why date labels are confusing

In the United States, there is no single, uniform federal system for food date labels. With the exception of infant formula, federal law does not require manufacturers to put dates on food. Many manufacturers add dates voluntarily, and some states have their own rules, particularly for milk and eggs. As a result, packages use many different phrases, and the same phrase can mean different things on different products.

Most dates on food are about quality, not safety. They indicate when the manufacturer believes the food will be at its best flavor and texture. Many foods remain safe to eat well after these dates if they have been stored properly.

The most common labels

Best if used by / Best by / Best before

This is a quality date. It tells you when the food is likely to be at its peak in flavor and texture. After this date, the food may slowly lose freshness, becoming stale, less crunchy or less flavorful, but it is not necessarily unsafe. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service recommends the phrase "Best if Used By" to help reduce confusion and waste.

Foods such as crackers, cereal, pasta, canned goods, condiments, frozen foods and many snacks are often perfectly safe to eat after their best-by date, as long as the packaging is intact and they have been stored properly.

Use by

"Use by" is the last date the manufacturer recommends for using the product while at peak quality. In the United States, it is generally a quality indicator too, except for infant formula, where it is required and related to nutrient content and safety. In some other countries, such as those in the European Union and the United Kingdom, "use by" is a safety date for highly perishable foods, and eating the food after that date is not recommended.

For highly perishable foods like fresh meat, poultry, fish and ready-to-eat deli products, it is wise to take "use by" dates seriously, regardless of where you live.

Sell by

"Sell by" is meant for stores, not consumers. It tells retailers how long to display the product for inventory management. Food is usually still good for some time after its sell-by date if stored properly. For example, milk is often good for several days to a week after its sell-by date when kept cold.

Freeze by

"Freeze by" indicates when a product should be frozen to maintain peak quality. Freezing before this date preserves the food for longer.

Packed on and other codes

Some products, especially canned goods and eggs, carry packing dates or codes that refer to when the product was made or packed, rather than when it should be eaten. These codes help manufacturers track products in case of recalls.

Infant formula: the exception

Infant formula is the only product in the United States for which federal law requires a "use by" date. After this date, the formula may not contain the amount of nutrients described on the label, and it may not pass through a bottle nipple properly. Do not use infant formula after its use-by date.

How to judge food quality

For most foods, your senses and good storage practices are better guides than the date alone. Before eating food that is past its date, check it carefully.

• Look: Mold, discoloration, unusual sliminess or a bulging or leaking container are warning signs.
• Smell: Sour, rancid, or otherwise off smells indicate spoilage.
• Feel: Sticky or slimy textures on meat, poultry, fish or vegetables suggest bacterial growth.
• Taste carefully: For shelf-stable items like crackers or cereal, a small taste can reveal staleness. Never taste food that looks or smells spoiled.

An important caveat: some bacteria that cause foodborne illness, such as Listeria and Salmonella, do not change the appearance, smell or taste of food. That is why highly perishable foods should be eaten within recommended times, even if they seem fine.

Foods that need extra caution

Some foods are more likely to carry harmful bacteria and should be handled with particular care:

• Fresh meat, poultry and seafood: Cook or freeze them within a few days of purchase, following the use-by date.
• Ground meat: Use within one to two days of purchase or freeze.
• Ready-to-eat foods such as deli meats, smoked fish, prepared salads and soft cheeses, which can carry Listeria. Pregnant people, older adults and people with weakened immune systems should be especially careful.
• Leftovers: Eat within three to four days.
• Opened jars and cartons of sauces, broths and dairy.

Typical refrigerator storage times

These are general guidelines for food stored at 40 °F (4 °C) or below. Always follow package instructions when available.

Shelf-stable foods

Many pantry foods keep their quality long after their best-by date:

• Canned goods: High-acid canned foods like tomatoes and fruit keep best quality for about 12 to 18 months; low-acid canned foods like vegetables and meat for two to five years. Discard cans that are bulging, leaking, rusted or badly dented, especially along the seams.
• Dry pasta, white rice and sugar: Keep for a very long time when stored dry and sealed.
• Crackers, cereal and chips: May become stale but are generally safe.
• Spices: Remain safe but lose flavor over time.
• Oils, nuts and whole-grain flour: Can become rancid, with a bitter or paint-like smell. Rancid food is unpleasant but usually not dangerous in small amounts; it is best discarded.

Opened food changes the rules

Date labels usually refer to unopened products. Once a package is opened, food is exposed to air and microorganisms and generally lasts a shorter time. Many jars and bottles say "refrigerate after opening" and "use within X days." Write the date you opened a product on the package with a marker, so you know how long it has been in the fridge.

Date labels and food waste

Confusion about date labels is a significant cause of food waste. Research from food waste organizations suggests that many households throw away food that is still safe and good to eat simply because it has passed a best-by date. Understanding that most dates are about quality, not safety, can reduce waste and save money.

Practical habits:

• Check the fridge and pantry regularly and plan meals around items nearing their dates.
• Freeze foods before their use-by or freeze-by dates.
• Store foods properly so they last as long as possible.
• Arrange groceries so older items are in front.
• When in doubt about highly perishable foods, follow the rule: "When in doubt, throw it out."

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to eat food after its best-by date? For most foods, yes, as long as they have been stored properly and show no signs of spoilage. Best-by dates indicate peak quality, not safety.

What should I do with food after its use-by date? For highly perishable foods like fresh meat, poultry, fish and ready-to-eat deli products, it is safest not to eat them after the use-by date.

Does freezing stop the clock? Freezing at 0 °F (−18 °C) keeps food safe indefinitely, although quality decreases over time. Freeze food before its use-by date and use it within recommended times for the best quality.

Why do eggs have a date? Eggs often carry a pack date and a sell-by or best-by date. Properly refrigerated eggs are generally good for three to five weeks after purchase.

Can I eat yogurt past its date? Yogurt is often fine for a while after its date if unopened and refrigerated. Check for mold, unusual smell or separation beyond the normal liquid on top.

The bottom line

Most food date labels in the United States are about quality, not safety. "Best by" means peak quality, "sell by" is for stores, and "use by" is a final recommendation that deserves respect for highly perishable foods and is mandatory for infant formula. Store food properly, check it with your senses, follow recommended storage times for meat, seafood, ready-to-eat foods and leftovers, and freeze items before they spoil. With this knowledge, you can keep your family safe and throw away much less good food.