What You Need to Know About Food Expiration Dates

In the U.S., food manufacturers use a variety of date labels — but none are federally regulated for most foods (except infant formula).

The result?
A patchwork of terms that sound serious but aren’t standardized.

✅ Best if Used By
Indicates peak flavor and quality — not a safety warning.

✅ Use By
Suggested last date for best quality (often used for perishables).

✅ Sell By
For store inventory — tells retailers when to pull items from shelves.

✅ Expires On
Rare; sometimes used on baby formula — indicates when nutrient levels may decline.

📌 Bottom line: None of these mean “toss after this date.”

The USDA and FDA agree: These labels are about quality, not safety.

🧠 How to Tell If Food Is Still SafeContinue reading…

←PreviousNext→