Food Expiration Dates: What they actually mean and tips for knowing when to toss out your food

PAID LISTING

The Mysteries Behind Food’s Use-By Dates
The use of various terminology with potentially conflicting meanings and the absence of standardization in labeling standards contribute to the misunderstanding of food expiry dates. Various labels may include different dates, such as “use by” or “sell by,” which have different meanings; some may even include a “best if used by” date. To add insult to injury, many products’ expiry dates are based on quality standards rather than safety regulations, which may lead to more confusion. Worst case scenario: consumers throw out perfectly good food because they don’t know whether it’s still safe to eat after its expiry date has gone.
The Evolution of Perishable Food Dates
Food expiry dates have been around since the turn of the twentieth century, when producers started using open dating to tell consumers how fresh and high-quality their items were. In the 1970s, the practice became more popular in the US due to the efforts of consumer advocacy organizations that demanded higher standards of food safety and more openness. But since there was no federal oversight, different states’ laws and voluntary standards ended up mixed together, leading to inconsistent and sometimes contradictory practices. Inconsistencies in the food industry’s attempts to standardize expiry date labeling have persisted throughout time.
When comparing Best if Used By/Before, Use By, and Sell By, there is a notable distinction.

“Best if used by/before,” “use by,” and “sell by” all mean different things:

To get the most out of the product’s taste, texture, or general quality, look for the “Best if used by/before” date. This is not a spoilage date; beyond this date, the item might still be edible, although its quality could be worse.
“Use by” indicates the final suggested date for the product to be used while it is still in its best condition. Things that might spoil soon are common candidates for this method. This date, in contrast to “best if used by,” might affect food safety.
For the purpose of inventory management, merchants use the “sell by” date. After this date, it doesn’t n