Expiration dates mean food is unsafe after
The proliferation of date labels (best by, sell by, use by) misleads consumers into discarding safe food prematurely. In the United States, only infant formula is required by law to carry an expiration date indicating actual safety.
What we know
The United States has no standardized federal regulation requiring food date labels on most products, and the terminology used by manufacturers is inconsistent and often misunderstood. 'Best by' or 'best used by' indicates peak quality, the period during which the manufacturer believes the product will taste and perform best. 'Sell by' is a directive to retailers about display periods. 'Use by' indicates when a perishable product is at its peak quality, typically followed by a reasonable grace period if stored correctly. The only product legally required to carry a federally mandated expiration date in the US is infant formula.
Food safety experts at Rutgers University and the USDA emphasize that food does not cross from perfectly safe to dangerously toxic at the moment a date passes. Spoilage is a gradual process affected by temperature, packaging integrity, and the specific food type. A container of yogurt or a block of hard cheese may remain safe to consume for days or weeks past a 'best by' date, though it may show changes in flavor or texture. Consumers are advised to use sensory evaluation, looking, smelling, and if appropriate tasting, alongside date labels.
The practical consequence of widespread misunderstanding of date labels is significant food waste. The FDA estimates that confusion over date labels is a major driver of the approximately 30 to 40 percent of the US food supply that is wasted each year. The FDA and USDA have both advocated for standardizing the label system to use only 'best if used by' for quality dates, with a view to reducing unnecessary waste.
The exception to this general guidance is ready-to-eat deli meats, soft cheeses, and other products vulnerable to Listeria, which can grow in refrigerators. For such products, 'use by' dates serve a more direct food-safety function.
Common claims
- Food is unsafe to eat after the date on the package.Mostly false. Date labels indicate quality peaks, not safety cutoffs.
- 'Use by' and 'best by' mean the same thing.False. They have different intended meanings, though neither is consistently regulated.
- Infant formula expiration dates must be followed.True. Infant formula is the only US product with a federally mandated expiration date.