A staggering 80% of Americans throw away food prematurely because they misunderstand expiration dates. The truth is that most date labels have nothing to do with food safety. Understanding what these dates actually mean can save you hundreds of dollars a year and significantly reduce your food waste.
The Three Main Date Labels
"Best By" or "Best Before"
This is the most common label and the most misunderstood. A "best by" date indicates when the manufacturer believes the product will be at peak quality in terms of flavor, texture, and freshness. It is not a safety date. Food is typically safe to eat well past this date, though quality may decline slightly.
For example, crackers might become slightly less crispy after the "best by" date, or canned soup might have slightly less vibrant color. But they are still perfectly safe to eat.
"Sell By"
This label is for the retailer, not you. It tells the store how long to display the product. You should have plenty of time to use the food after the "sell by" date. In fact, buying items near their "sell by" date is a great strategy for getting discounted groceries.
"Use By"
This is the one to take most seriously. "Use by" is the manufacturer's recommendation for the last date the product will be at peak quality. However, with the exception of infant formula, even "use by" dates are not federally regulated safety dates. That said, use your judgment and pay closer attention to these dates than the others, especially for perishable items like dairy and meat.
What the Law Actually Says
Here is a fact that surprises most people: the United States has no federal regulation requiring date labels on food products except for infant formula. The dates on your food are determined entirely by manufacturers and are voluntary. They represent the company's estimate of peak quality, not a scientifically determined safety threshold.
How Long Food Really Lasts Past the Date
| Food | Safe Past "Best By" Date | Signs It Has Gone Bad |
|---|---|---|
| Eggs | 3-5 weeks | Float test: bad eggs float in water |
| Milk | 5-7 days | Sour smell, chunky texture |
| Yogurt | 1-2 weeks | Mold, off smell, excessive liquid |
| Hard cheese | 3-4 weeks | Mold (can cut it off and eat the rest) |
| Canned goods | 1-4 years | Bulging, dents on seams, rust, hissing when opened |
| Bread | 5-7 days | Visible mold |
| Dry pasta | 1-2 years | Insect damage, stale smell |
| Frozen foods | Months to years | Severe freezer burn (safe but poor quality) |
| Condiments (ketchup, mustard) | 6-12 months | Color change, separation, off taste |
| Cereal | 6-12 months | Stale taste, insects |
Use Your Senses, Not Just the Date
Before throwing food away based on a date, do a sensory check:
- Look: Check for visible mold, discoloration, or unusual texture changes
- Smell: Off, sour, or rancid odors are a clear sign of spoilage
- Touch: Slimy textures on meat, produce, or dairy mean it is time to toss it
- Taste: If it looks and smells fine, a small taste will confirm. If it tastes off, spit it out and discard the item
The Egg Float Test
One of the most reliable home food safety tests. Place an egg in a bowl of water:
- Sinks and lies flat: Very fresh (1-2 weeks old)
- Sinks but stands on one end: Older but still good (3-4 weeks)
- Floats to the surface: Bad. Discard it.
This works because eggshells are porous and allow air in over time. A bad egg has a large air cell that makes it buoyant.
Foods That Should Not Be Eaten Past Their Date
While most foods are flexible, some require more caution:
- Infant formula: The only product with a federally regulated expiration date. Never use past the date.
- Deli meats: Higher risk for Listeria. Use within 3-5 days of opening or by the "use by" date.
- Fresh juice (unpasteurized): Can harbor harmful bacteria. Follow the date closely.
- Soft cheeses: Higher moisture content supports bacterial growth. Be cautious with brie, ricotta, and feta past their dates.
How to Waste Less Food
- Move older items to the front of the fridge and pantry (first in, first out)
- Freeze foods before they spoil. Bread, meat, dairy, and many cooked dishes freeze well.
- Plan meals around what needs to be used first
- Buy smaller quantities more frequently if waste is a persistent problem
Related: 10 Easy Ways to Reduce Food Waste at Home (Save $400+/Year)
Related: How Long Does Yogurt Last After the Expiration Date?
Keeping track of dates across dozens of items in your fridge and pantry is not easy. Clove AI tracks your food inventory and sends expiry alerts before anything goes bad, so you can stop guessing and stop wasting food unnecessarily.