Here’s What You Need to Know About Food Expiration Dates ~ Fresh Recipes

Here’s What You Need to Know About Food Expiration Dates

Understanding the Labels, Myths, and How to Stay Safe (Without Wasting Food)

If you've ever stared at a slightly expired yogurt container wondering, “Is this still safe to eat?”, you're not alone. Food expiration dates can be confusing—and often misleading. The truth is, most of those printed dates on your groceries aren’t actually about food safety at all.

In fact, a significant amount of food waste in homes comes from misunderstanding what expiration dates mean. According to the USDA, Americans throw away billions of pounds of food each year—much of it perfectly safe—simply because of confusing labels.

Let’s clear up the confusion and talk about what those dates really mean, and how to tell when food is actually bad.

First Things First: The Labels Aren’t All the Same

There’s no universal standard for how expiration dates are printed on packaging, but here’s a breakdown of the most common terms you'll see:

“Sell By” – This is for retailers, not consumers. It tells the store how long to display the product for sale. Food is still safe to eat after this date.
“Best By” / “Best If Used By” – This is about quality, not safety. The manufacturer suggests this date for best flavor, texture, or appearance. The food is usually still safe well beyond this date.
“Use By” – This one can be trickier. It’s sometimes used for both quality and safety. For perishable items like deli meat or baby formula, this date should be taken more seriously.
“Freeze By” – This label suggests when to freeze a product to maintain its peak quality. It doesn’t mean the food is bad after that day.

What About Safety?

Contrary to popular belief, expiration dates are not regulated by the federal government (except for infant formula). That means manufacturers get to decide what date to put based on their own guidelines for peak freshness—not necessarily safety.

So, how do you know if something’s truly unsafe to eat? Use your senses and common sense:

Smell it – If it smells sour, rancid, or “off,” toss it.
Look at it – Mold, sliminess, discoloration, or bubbling (when not intended) are clear signs it’s time to let go.
Taste (when in doubt) – If it passes the smell and look test but you're unsure, taste a small amount. If it tastes strange or off, don’t eat it.

A Quick Guide: How Long Common Foods Last Past the Date

Here’s a general idea of how long some everyday items can last past their printed dates, assuming they’ve been stored properly:

Item	Safe to Eat Up To...
Milk	5–7 days after “Sell By”
Eggs	3–5 weeks after “Sell By”
Yogurt	1–2 weeks after “Best By”
Cheese (Hard)	3–4 weeks after opening
Bread (Fridge/Freezer)	1 week (fridge), 3 months (freezer)
Canned Goods	1–2 years past “Best By”
Dry Pasta/Rice	Indefinitely (if stored dry)
Meat (Raw, refrigerated)	1–2 days after “Sell By”
Frozen Foods	Safe indefinitely (quality declines over time)

When to Be Extra Careful

Some foods are riskier than others. Here’s where you should pay close attention to dates and spoilage signs:

Deli meats and soft cheeses – Higher risk for listeria.
Seafood – Spoils quickly and may not always smell bad at first.
Leftovers – Generally safe for 3–4 days when refrigerated.
Prepared salads with mayo/dairy – Bacteria love these. Use caution after the “Use By” date.

How to Reduce Waste Without Risk

Store food properly – Keep your fridge below 40°F (4°C), and freeze items you won’t use soon.
Organize your fridge – Use the “first in, first out” method so older items get used up first.
Learn to preserve – Freezing, fermenting, or canning can extend shelf life.
Use your senses – Trust them more than a printed date.

Bottom Line

Expiration dates are helpful guidelines, not hard rules. With a little know-how and common sense, you can keep your food safe, avoid unnecessary waste, and maybe even save some money in the process.

So next time you reach for that “expired” carton of eggs, remember: it might still be perfectly fine—and taste just as good as ever.