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Can I Eat This? Decording Expiration Dates

Key Points

  • Many people discard food prematurely due to confusion over the meaning of dates on food labels, contributing to 40% of the US food supply being wasted each year.
  • The "Expiration" date on food labels indicates the peak freshness of the food, not necessarily when it becomes unsafe to consume. Even unrefrigerated foods can maintain their taste and quality past this date.
  • "Use By" or "Best By" dates, often found on non-refrigerated shelf products, are voluntarily provided by manufacturers to indicate the period of peak quality before the food is opened. If stored correctly, these foods can still be consumed after this date.
  • "Sell By" dates are meant for stores, not consumers, indicating how long a product can be displayed on the shelf. Consumers can safely consume these foods past the "Sell By" date if they are stored properly.
  • Deciding when to discard food often comes down to common sense, such as checking for odd smells or signs of mold. Online databases can also provide guidance on whether food is safe to consume.

Many people are fanatical about throwing out food at midnight on the day the label says it is expired. Health studies have revealed, however, that many people are throwing out their food too early because of confusion over what all the dates and numbers on a label mean. Here is what you need to know about expiration dates on food.

Related: The Gross Facts About Food Poisoning

Can I Eat This? Decording Expiration Dates

Key Points

  • Many people discard food prematurely due to confusion over the meaning of dates on food labels, contributing to 40% of the US food supply being wasted each year.
  • The "Expiration" date on food labels indicates the peak freshness of the food, not necessarily when it becomes unsafe to consume. Even unrefrigerated foods can maintain their taste and quality past this date.
  • "Use By" or "Best By" dates, often found on non-refrigerated shelf products, are voluntarily provided by manufacturers to indicate the period of peak quality before the food is opened. If stored correctly, these foods can still be consumed after this date.
  • "Sell By" dates are meant for stores, not consumers, indicating how long a product can be displayed on the shelf. Consumers can safely consume these foods past the "Sell By" date if they are stored properly.
  • Deciding when to discard food often comes down to common sense, such as checking for odd smells or signs of mold. Online databases can also provide guidance on whether food is safe to consume.

Many people are fanatical about throwing out food at midnight on the day the label says it is expired. Health studies have revealed, however, that many people are throwing out their food too early because of confusion over what all the dates and numbers on a label mean. Here is what you need to know about expiration dates on food.

Related: The Gross Facts About Food Poisoning

What does the "Expiration" date mean?

The expiration date began appearing on food labels in the 1970s. This was because, by that time, most people had stopped making their own food and instead buying products at grocery stores and supermarkets.

The expiration date on the label simply indicates when the food has hit its peak freshness, not that the food is bad by that date. Experts even say that unrefrigerated foods have no difference in taste or quality after that expiration date. 

What does the "Use By" or "Best By" date mean?

You will most often see "Use By" or "Best By" on shelf products that do not necessarily need to be refrigerated. Examples of this kind of food include peanut butter, mustard, and mayonnaise. This date is given to you voluntarily by the manufacturer and simply describes how long the food is at top quality before it is opened.

This date is not when you have to throw out the food if it has been unopened. The US Department of Agriculture's Food and Safety Inspection Service says that if people store it correctly at the proper temperature, they can still consume it.

Related: 4 Food Safety Tips to Always Keep in Mind

What does the "Sell By" date mean?

"Sell by" dates are found on perishable food, such as milk, poultry, seafood, and meats. The date is meant as a guide for stores, not consumers, and is simply an indicator of how long a product can be on the shelf in the store.

Even though you should by the product before the "Sell By" date, you can keep it at home for a long time after the date without having to toss it. As long as you safely store the food, then it is edible. Milk is very commonly tossed by the "Sell By" date, even though experts say it is still good for a week after that date. 

When should I get rid of food?

A lot of deciding when you should get rid of food comes down to common sense. Smell the food to see if it smells odd or sour. Also look carefully in the container, around the rim, and in the lid to see if mold has started growing. Even if food does not seem as fresh as before, usually it is still safe to consume.

There are many databases online, such as Keep It or Toss It, that will give you an accurate estimation if your food is safe to eat as well. If you eat food that has gone bad and you start to feel sick from it, go to an urgent care center immediately.

Related: When in Doubt, Throw it Out

Over 90 percent of consumers throw out food prematurely and 40 percent of the US food supply is tossed every year because of confusion over food dating. This is a huge waste that can be changed once you understand what the expiration date really means. 

Frequently asked questions

  • What does the "Expiration" date on a food label mean?

    The expiration date on a food label indicates when the food has hit its peak freshness, not that the food is bad by that date. Unrefrigerated foods have no difference in taste or quality after that expiration date.
  • What does the "Use By" or "Best By" date on a food label mean?

    The "Use By" or "Best By" date is often seen on shelf products that do not necessarily need to be refrigerated. This date is provided by the manufacturer and describes how long the food is at top quality before it is opened. It is not a date by which you must throw out the food if it has been unopened.
  • What does the "Sell By" date on a food label mean?

    The "Sell By" date is found on perishable food and is meant as a guide for stores, not consumers. It is an indicator of how long a product can be on the shelf in the store. You can keep the product at home for a long time after the "Sell By" date as long as you safely store the food.
  • How can I determine when to get rid of food?

    You should use common sense to determine when to get rid of food. Smell the food to see if it smells odd or sour and look carefully in the container, around the rim, and in the lid to see if mold has started growing. There are also many online databases that can give you an accurate estimation if your food is safe to eat.
  • What should I do if I eat food that has gone bad?

    If you eat food that has gone bad and you start to feel sick from it, you should go to an urgent care center immediately.
  • How much food do consumers typically waste due to confusion over food dating?

    Over 90 percent of consumers throw out food prematurely and 40 percent of the US food supply is tossed every year because of confusion over food dating.
  • When did expiration dates start appearing on food labels?

    Expiration dates began appearing on food labels in the 1970s.
  • Is it safe to consume food after the "Use By" or "Best By" date if it has been unopened and stored correctly?

    Yes, the US Department of Agriculture's Food and Safety Inspection Service says that if people store it correctly at the proper temperature, they can still consume it.

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