You see it on almost every food package you buy: a “Best If Used By,” “Sell By,” or “Use By” date. We are trained to treat these dates as a hard deadline for when a food is no longer safe to eat, leading to a massive amount of food waste. The surprising truth, however, is that these dates are not about safety at all. They are a manufacturer’s best guess as to when a product will be at its peak quality, and the terms they use are almost completely unregulated and inconsistent.
No Federal Standard Exists
With the single exception of infant formula, there are no federal laws in the United States that regulate food product dating. The FDA and the USDA do not require manufacturers to put these dates on their products, and they do not define what the terms must mean. This lack of a national standard leaves it up to each state and manufacturer to create their own rules, which results in a confusing and contradictory system for consumers.
What “Best If Used By” Actually Means (Quality)
The most common date label you will see is “Best If Used By” or “Best Before.” This is a manufacturer’s estimate of when the product will have the best possible flavor and texture. It has nothing to do with food safety. A can of soup or a box of crackers is still perfectly safe to eat for months, or even years, after this date has passed, though its quality may have slightly declined.
What “Sell By” Means (For the Retailer)
A “Sell By” date is not for the consumer at all; it is a tool for the grocery store to manage its inventory. This date tells the retailer when they should rotate the product off the shelves to ensure the customer is buying it at its peak freshness. Most foods are still perfectly good for at least a week to ten days after the “Sell By” date.
What “Use By” Means (A Safety Suggestion)
The “Use By” date is the one that comes closest to being a safety recommendation, but it is still not a hard rule. It is typically found on highly perishable items like fresh meat, poultry, and some dairy products. This date represents the last day that the manufacturer recommends using the product while it is at its peak quality. While you should be more cautious with these items, it is not a definitive expiration date.
The Push for Standardization
The confusion created by this inconsistent system is a major contributor to food waste in America. It is estimated that consumers throw away billions of pounds of food every year, simply because they misinterpret the date labels. This has led to a growing movement from food safety experts. Some members of Congress are proposing to create a standardized, federally regulated food dating system that is clear and consistent.
A System of Confusion
The current food dating system is broken. It is a chaotic mix of unregulated terms that confuses consumers and encourages wasteful behavior. By understanding what these labels truly mean—and what they do not mean—shoppers can learn to trust their senses instead of an arbitrary date on a package. This knowledge can help us save money, reduce food waste, and make more confident decisions about the food we eat.
How do you interpret the date labels on food? Do you often throw away food that has passed its “Best If Used By” date? Share your thoughts on this issue!
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