Food Date Labels Explained: 9 Checks Before You Keep or Toss Food
A date on a food package can be confusing. Learn what common labels mean, why proper storage matters, and how to make more informed decisions about food safety and waste.
Food date labels can raise an important question: should you keep the food, use it soon, or throw it away? The answer depends on more than the printed date.
For example, you may find a box of pasta labeled “Best If Used By” or a carton of milk with a “Sell By” date. However, those phrases do not always mean the same thing.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture , most dates on food packages describe expected quality rather than a point when the product automatically becomes unsafe.
Still, a date is never the whole story. Storage temperature, package condition, opening instructions, and possible recalls can affect whether food is safe.
This guide explains three common date labels. Then, it walks through nine practical checks to help you think clearly before keeping, using, or discarding food.
Food Date Labels: Best By, Sell By, and Use By
First, look at the exact words printed next to the date. These phrases generally serve different purposes on food sold in the United States.
Best If Used By
Usually about quality.
This wording identifies when the manufacturer expects the food to have its best flavor or quality.
Therefore, passing this date does not automatically mean a properly stored product is unsafe. Other safety checks still matter.
Sell By
Usually about store inventory.
A “Sell By” date helps a store manage how long it displays a product for sale.
However, it is not automatically the last day a consumer may safely use that product. Proper storage remains essential.
Use By
Can identify a safety deadline.
U.S. date labels are not uniform. Some “Use By” dates describe expected quality, while others identify a food-safety limit. Do not assume this phrase is only about quality.
Follow a safety-based “Use By” date. Infant formula also must not be used after its required date. If the meaning is unclear, ask the manufacturer.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration explains that food dating terminology is not fully standardized nationwide. The exact wording, product instructions, and applicable state guidance matter.
For example, California’s food date-label guidance distinguishes “Best if Used By” quality dates from “Use By” safety dates under rules effective July 1, 2026, for covered products. Do not eat food after a safety-based “Use By” date. A quality-date explanation does not override a safety instruction.
9 Practical Checks Before You Keep or Toss Food
A date label is one useful clue. However, safe decisions also depend on the food itself and its history.
Use these nine checks as a practical guide. If you are uncertain about safety, do not taste the food to find out. Instead, consult reliable guidance or discard food that may be unsafe.
Checks 1–3: Read the Label and Package
Begin with what the product tells you. Then, examine whether the package is in suitable condition.
Identify the Exact Date Phrase
First, determine whether the package says “Best If Used By,” “Sell By,” or “Use By.” Do not assume these labels are identical.
Next, read the surrounding instructions. A product may include special information about storage, preparation, or use after opening. If the date is a safety deadline, follow it.
If the meaning remains unclear, contact the manufacturer using its official contact information.
Inspect Seals and Packaging
A printed date cannot make a damaged package safe. Therefore, check whether seals are intact and whether the package is leaking or torn.
Also, pay attention to products that require refrigeration. A broken seal or damaged package may require discarding the food even before its printed date.
When in doubt, follow the manufacturer or food-safety agency’s guidance.
Look Carefully at Canned Food
Shelf-stable canned food can last beyond a quality date when stored properly. However, the condition of the can matters.
Never use food from a can that is swollen, leaking, punctured, deeply rusted, severely dented, or otherwise seriously damaged. Do not taste the contents.
For more detail, consult the USDA’s shelf-stable food safety guide .
Checks 4–6: Review Storage and Handling
Even a product with a future date can become unsafe after improper handling. That is why storage conditions deserve close attention.
Check Refrigeration Temperature
Keep the refrigerator at 40°F or below and the freezer at 0°F or below. An appliance thermometer can help verify the temperature.
In addition, pay attention to any period when the refrigerator may have been too warm. The printed date alone cannot confirm that food stayed safe.
Read the USDA’s food safety basics and the FDA’s food storage guidance for safe temperatures and handling.
Consider Time Outside Refrigeration
Perishable food should not sit at room temperature for long periods. As a general rule, refrigerate perishables within two hours.
However, when the temperature is above 90°F, the recommended limit drops to one hour.
Therefore, if you know a perishable food remained at unsafe temperatures too long, do not rely on the date label or its smell to declare it safe.
Check the Instructions After Opening
Opening a package may change how long its contents can be stored. For example, some foods require refrigeration or use within a certain period after opening.
So, read the storage directions rather than relying only on the unopened package’s date.
A simple habit can help: write the opening date on a safe area of the package. Then, follow the manufacturer’s handling and storage instructions.
Checks 7–9: Make a More Informed Decision
Before making the final choice, review the remaining safety factors. These steps can help you avoid unnecessary waste without taking avoidable risks.
Look for Recalls and Safety Alerts
A product can be recalled even while its printed date remains in the future. As a result, dates alone do not establish safety.
If you hear about a recall, check the product name, package size, and affected codes. Then, follow the official instructions.
Start with the FDA’s recalls and safety alerts or the USDA’s recall information .
Check Food-Specific Storage Guidance
Different foods require different storage periods. For example, dried pasta and fresh poultry cannot be evaluated using one general rule.
Therefore, check reliable food-specific guidance before deciding what to keep.
The free FoodKeeper resource provides guidance on storing different types of food. Use it alongside the product’s instructions.
Choose Safety Over Guesswork
A past “Best If Used By” date does not always require automatic disposal. However, that fact is not permission to ignore other safety concerns.
If the food was mishandled, recalled, improperly stored, or seriously damaged, follow safety guidance.
Finally, when you cannot establish that a questionable food was handled safely, do not take a risk simply to avoid waste.
Three Packages, Three Different Decisions
Dry Pasta Past Its Best By Date
An unopened box was stored in a cool, dry cupboard. The package is intact and the pasta shows no spoilage or pests. The quality date alone does not require disposal. Check the package and food-specific guidance before use.
A Chilled Meal Left Out Too Long
A meal that requires refrigeration sat at room temperature for three hours. Discard it even if its printed date is next week. A future date cannot undo unsafe handling. The limit is shorter in heat above 90°F.
A Safety-Based Use By Date Has Passed
The manufacturer identifies the “Use By” date as a safety deadline, and it has passed. Do not eat the food, even if it smells normal. The distinction between quality and safety dates matters.
A Simple Five-Minute Food-Checking Routine
You do not need an elaborate organizing system. Instead, set aside a few minutes each week to review food in your kitchen.
Check the Fridge
First, look for opened products and perishable foods that need attention.
Review Storage Dates
Next, compare your notes with the manufacturer’s directions and reliable storage guidance.
Use Safe Food First
When appropriate, plan a meal around food that is safe and should be used soon.
Freeze When Suitable
If the food is still safe, consider freezing it before its recommended storage period ends.
Remove Unsafe Items
Then, discard recalled, mishandled, or otherwise unsafe products properly.
Plan the Next Shop
Finally, note what you already have so you can avoid buying unnecessary duplicates.
A small routine can help you manage food more thoughtfully. In addition, it may reduce unnecessary purchases and prevent some avoidable waste.
Reliable Food Guidance and Community Support
Understanding a package label is a useful household skill. However, a family facing food insecurity may need more than information.
Below are several resources serving different purposes. Some provide official safety guidance. Others offer food assistance, prayer, or community connection.
Official Food Safety Information
For date-label guidance, consult the FDA’s food waste and safety information and the USDA’s product dating guide .
In addition, FoodKeeper can help you look up storage guidance for specific foods.
Food and Practical Assistance
If you are struggling to access enough food, The Gospel Rescue Mission’s Need Help page offers a starting point for prayer, compassionate contact, and possible resource direction.
For readers near Cincinnati, Landmark Bread of Life accepts requests for food boxes and clothing by appointment. Submit the request form and wait for a scheduling callback. Its Monday community dinner is listed as open to everyone.
Fellowship and Spiritual Encouragement
Practical support and relationships can both matter during difficult seasons. Unbound Ministry shares information about Christian fellowship, small groups, worship, and community outreach in Cincinnati.
If you would like someone to pray for your household, visit Lift My Prayer and choose the Private Prayer Request contact option. Please avoid including sensitive records or financial information.
Helping Community Organizations Communicate Clearly
When food programs explain pickup requirements, contact details, and eligibility clearly, visitors can find the next step more easily.
For churches and ministries improving their websites and digital communication, Intangible Treasures offers ministry-focused digital help, free as capacity and resources allow.
Meanwhile, organizations needing professional WordPress development, website maintenance, or technical systems can explore BuildRightWeb for paid business website services.
These organizations have different roles. The website-service providers are not food-safety authorities or food assistance programs.
Food Date Labels: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Best By date mean food has expired?
Not necessarily. “Best If Used By” generally describes expected quality rather than an automatic safety cutoff. However, storage conditions, packaging, and the type of food still matter.
Is Sell By the same as a food safety deadline?
Usually not. A “Sell By” date primarily helps stores manage product display and inventory. Still, you must follow proper food storage and handling practices.
Can I use infant formula after its Use By date?
No. The FDA requires a “Use By” date on infant formula. Therefore, do not feed formula to an infant after that date. Follow the preparation and storage instructions as well.
Can I smell food to decide whether it is safe?
No. Spoilage odors can be warning signs, but harmful bacteria may be present without changing a food’s smell or appearance. As a result, the smell test cannot establish food safety.
Where can I check how long to store food?
Start with the package’s instructions. Next, use a trusted reference such as FoodKeeper . Storage recommendations depend on the type of food and whether it has been opened.
Should I donate food past its printed date?
First, contact the receiving organization and ask about its food donation policy. Rules may depend on the product, packaging, storage, and local requirements. Never donate food you believe is unsafe, recalled, mishandled, or damaged.
Read the Label. Check the Storage. Make a Safer Choice.
A printed date can help you understand when a product may be at its best quality. However, it cannot replace safe storage, careful handling, or official safety guidance.
By learning what date labels mean, you can reduce some unnecessary food waste while keeping safety first.
Whether you are shopping, preparing meals, or helping a neighbor, informed decisions are one practical way to care for the people around you.