Best By, Use By and Sell By Dates: What Food Labels Mean
Most U.S. food date labels describe quality or store inventory rather than a federal safety deadline; infant formula is the major exception, while storage history and signs of spoilage remain important.
Timeline
- At purchase: Read the date phrase, package condition and storage instructions rather than the date alone.
- During storage: Maintain safe temperatures and use product-specific storage guidance.
- Before use: Discard mishandled or spoiled food and follow special rules for infant formula and recalls.
Most dates printed on food in the United States describe expected quality, not the moment a product becomes unsafe. USDA says federal rules generally do not require food date labels except for infant formula. Manufacturers and retailers often add dates voluntarily to communicate peak flavor, texture or store inventory timing. [1][2]
“Best if Used By” or “Best Before” generally identifies the period of best flavor or quality. “Sell By” helps a store manage display and inventory. “Use By” usually identifies the maker's last recommended date for peak quality, and “Freeze By” suggests when freezing may preserve quality. Except for infant formula, these phrases are not standardized federal safety deadlines. [1][2]
A date cannot compensate for unsafe handling. Perishable food kept too warm can become hazardous before its quality date, while correctly stored food may remain wholesome afterward. Refrigerator temperature, time outside refrigeration, package damage, cross-contamination and cooking practices matter. Consumers should follow label storage instructions and official time-and-temperature guidance for the specific food. [1][3]
Spoilage and pathogens are also different. Spoilage organisms can produce off odors, flavors or textures that warn a product should be discarded. Disease-causing bacteria may not create obvious sensory changes, so smelling or tasting food cannot prove safety after improper storage. Never taste questionable food as a test, particularly after an outage or temperature abuse. [1][3]
Infant formula is the key federal exception described by USDA. Its use-by date is tied to nutrient content and physical quality under the labeled storage conditions, so formula should not be used after that date. Medical foods, recalls and products governed by other specific rules may also require instructions beyond the general quality-date explanation. [1]
For product-specific storage time, USDA points consumers to FoodKeeper, which lists guidance for pantry, refrigerator and freezer storage. Those periods are useful guidelines rather than guarantees because packaging and conditions vary. Freezing often preserves safety for longer but may reduce texture, and an opened product may have a different storage window from an unopened one. [3][4]
The practical decision combines the phrase beside the date, storage history, package integrity, recalls and product guidance. A passed best-by date alone does not require automatic disposal, but bulging cans, broken seals, mold, unusual odor or known temperature abuse are reasons to reject food. When the history is uncertain for a high-risk perishable item, discard it rather than taste it. [1][3]
Sources
- USDA FSIS — Food Product Dating
- USDA FSIS — Food Date Labeling
- USDA FSIS — FoodKeeper Storage Guidance
- USDA FSIS — FoodKeeper App Overview