Expiration Dates

From

https://www.foodandwine.com/sell-by-vs-use-by-8402060 (opens in a new tab)

Use-by date

Use-by dates suggest the peak quality (opens in a new tab) of a product, and are not safety dates. According to the USDA (opens in a new tab) , “With the exception of infant formula, if the date passes during home storage, a product should still be safe and wholesome if handled properly until spoilage is evident. Spoiled foods will develop an off-odor, flavor, or texture due to naturally occurring spoilage bacteria. If a food has developed such spoilage characteristics, it should not be eaten.”

Best if used by date

This label is strictly a quality date, suggesting when the product will have its best taste and texture.

Sell-by date

This label indicates to stores how long a product should remain on shelves, and products are often safe to consume well after their sell-by date passes. In fact, according to the Institute for Food Safety and Health (opens in a new tab) at the Illinois Institute of Technology, “one-third of a product’s shelf-life remains after the sell-by date for the consumer to use at home.”

How to Store Dairy Products to Keep Them Good As Long As Possible (source page no longer available)

Freeze-by date

Think of this label as the “use-by” date but for freezing. Freezing most food products extends their life, and this date will tell you when to freeze an item at its highest quality.

Expires on/do-not use date

This label indicates that a product be ineffective after the date listed. Along with baby formula, baking ingredients like cake mixes, baking powder, and yeast may have this label.