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Pay Attention to This Date From Now On — It’s Not an Ordinary Expiration Date…

Most of us glance at dates printed on food packaging and quickly toss out anything that looks “expired.” But did you know that not all dates on products are created equal? In fact, there’s one date you’ve probably seen hundreds of times — and ignored — that could make a big difference in your food’s safety, quality, and even your wallet.

Let’s uncover the truth behind the label and answer the real question:
What does that date really mean?

📅 “Expiration Date” vs. “Best By” — There’s a Big Difference

Here’s where most people get tripped up: Not every date you see is an actual expiration date.

In fact, many dates are there to reflect peak quality — not safety.

Common Types of Food Dates:

• “Best By” or “Best If Used By”
  👉 Indicates when the product will be at its best flavor or texture. It’s not a safety deadline.
• “Sell By”
  👉 This tells stores how long to display the product for inventory purposes. It’s mainly for retailers — not consumers.
• “Use By”
  👉 This is the closest thing to a true expiration date, and it’s usually found on perishable items like dairy, meat, or baby formula.
• “Freeze By”
  👉 A recommendation for when to freeze the item to preserve quality.

❗ The One Date You Should Be Paying Closer Attention To

The “Use By” date is the one to watch — especially on perishables like meat, poultry, dairy, and infant formula. After this date, the risk of spoilage or bacterial growth increases, even if the product still looks or smells okay.

Important: In the U.S., only infant formula is federally required to have a true expiration date. For all other foods, these dates are not legally binding — they’re suggestions from the manufacturer.

🧊 What About Foods That Are Past the Date?

Here’s the truth: Many foods are still perfectly safe past the printed date if they’ve been stored properly.

For example: