Don’t Toss That Food Yet! Understanding Food Product Dating Labels
— By Alex Bosse, Nutrition Education Professional for UMaine Cooperative Extension EFNEP (Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program)
With the new year underway and spring just around the corner, you might be tidying up your kitchen and coming across boxes and cans of food past – what you assume are – their expiration dates. What now? Are they still safe to eat, or should you throw them away just to be safe? Let’s take a closer look at food product dating and what these labels really mean.
Food date labels can be confusing. Terms like “Best By,” “Use By,” and “Sell By” often leave consumers unsure of their meaning. A study found that 84% of people throw away food occasionally because of date labels, while 37% do so most of the time. This fear of expired foods leads to food that is safe to eat being wasted, which not only contributes to food waste but also affects your pocketbook. But do these dates indicate food safety? Let’s break it down.
Most date labels on food packages don’t indicate the safety of a food—rather they refer to quality, meaning the food’s best flavor and texture. Also, there are no federal regulations requiring date labels on food, with the exception of infant formula, which can add to the confusion. Below are some of the most common food date labels you will find in stores.
Most Commonly Used Food Date Labels
- “Sell By” dates are meant for stores, not consumers—as it tells retailers how long to keep a product on display. It does not indicate food safety. You’ll often find this label on foods such as dairy products, eggs, meat, poultry, seafood, bread, and baked goods.
- “Best if Used By (or Before)” is a recommendation for best flavor and quality and is not an indication of food safety. Food can still be eaten after this date but may not taste as fresh due to a decline in quality. You’ll often find this label on shelf-stable foods such as canned goods, crackers, cookies, and spices.
- “Use By” dates refer to the last date recommended for use of product at peak quality. It does not indicate food safety, with the exception of infant formula. You’ll often find this label on mostly perishable foods items such as dairy products, meat, poultry, seafood, fresh produce, ready-to-eat foods, and eggs.
- “Freeze By” dates refer to the recommended date to freeze a product to maintain quality. It does not indicate food safety.
As you’ve recognized by now, most date labels are more about quality than food safety. However, this doesn’t mean you should keep food indefinitely. While these dates are helpful for gauging food quality, always rely on your senses and good judgment to assess food before eating it. Check food for any signs of spoilage or compromised packaging (rust, dents, holes, or openings). Spoiled food usually has an off appearance, texture, or smell, so trust your senses when in doubt.
And as always, follow proper food handling, cooking and storage recommendations to ensure your food stays safe to eat. Keep your refrigerated foods safe by storing them at 40˚ F or lower. Use a thermometer to check that you’ve safely cooked your meats to the recommended safe minimum internal temperature.
The USDA’s FoodKeeper app is also a great resource for knowing how long to store foods in the pantry, fridge, or freezer to maintain optimal quality and reduce food waste.
You don’t have to throw away food just because it’s past the date on a label. Use caution with highly perishable foods like fresh meat, poultry and fish. These foods will list a “Use by” or “Freeze by” date to guide you with the timeline for their use. Trust your judgment, and if uncertain, remember the golden rule: “when in doubt, throw it out!”