What Do the Dates on Your Food Mean?

Food and Nutrition Education Resources

By: Jaz Popa, 11/10/2022

Have you ever bought a food item, looked at the many dates and numbers on the back, and gotten confused? This isn’t uncommon! There are many different dates and numbers on food, and most of us don’t fully understand what they all mean.

The dates that you see on food packages do not refer to spoilage or safety. Instead, they refer to quality. The USDA states, “Manufacturers provide dating to help consumers and retailers decide when food is of best quality. Except for infant formula, dates are not an indicator of the product’s safety and are not required by Federal law.”

This means that, except for baby formula, the dates on your food are not the end-all-be-all dates! They just indicate when that food may no longer be at its peak quality. So, regardless of the date listed, if there is no mold on the food, it looks fresh, smells good, and tastes normal, then it is likely safe to eat. Not only will you be preventing food waste, but you will also be saving food dollars.

However, it’s always better to be safe than sorry—when in doubt, throw it out!

So, what do all the different dates and labels mean? As described by the USDA:

"Best if Used By/Before" Date

This date indicates when a product will be of best flavor or quality. To get the best flavor and quality of your food, eat it before this date. It is not a purchase or safety date, meaning your food does not immediately spoil after this date.

"Sell-By" Date

Most refrigerated products will have this date. This date tells the store how long to display the product for sale for inventory management. This date is meant for seller use, NOT buyer use. It is not a safety date, and the food can be safe to eat for weeks after this date.

"Use-By" Date

This is the date recommended for the use of the product while at peak quality. It is not a safety date except for when used on infant formula.

“Expiration” Date

Except for baby formula, there are no foods that have a strict expiration date, although many other foods have these dates printed. Other items like yeast, boxed baking mixes, jams, or medications often have expiration dates printed. They have an expiration because they may not function the same after the date listed. Yeast or medications may not be as effective and baking mixes or jams may not have the desired texture. However, this date is not indicative of food safety or spoilage, except for infant formula.

If you are still worried about not using the dates on your food, click the buttons below to see how long common foods can generally be stored. You can also use FoodKeeper. FoodKeeper is a new search tool and app developed by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service with Cornell University and the Food Marketing Institute. You can search for specific food items to learn best storage practices and dates.

Extra Resources:

USDA: Food Safety – Food Product Dating

WebMD: Food Expiration Dates – What to Know and General Guidelines

Food and Nutrition Education Resources