A sell-by date isn't a safety deadline: surprising thing experts want you to know about food expiration dates
What Sell-By Dates Mean
Sell-by dates tell retailers when goods should be sold. Many consumers mistake them for a safety deadline and discard food afterward, even though the labels do not convey meaningful safety information to shoppers.
California recently became the first state to ban sell-by dates on most food packaging, aiming to reduce food waste. Other states have introduced bills or similar efforts to simplify date labels and address waste.
Use Your Senses Carefully
Food safety experts advise considering appearance, smell and taste, rather than depending solely on date labels. Good Housekeeping Nutrition Director Stefani Sassos says people should use common sense and look for spoilage.
Shelf-stable products such as canned goods, jerky, bottled items, rice and flour are generally safe after their best-by dates, with some exceptions. The article points readers to a USDA fact sheet for additional guidance on shelf-stable foods.
Storage Affects Quality
Frozen foods can remain safe for months or longer, but their taste, texture and nutritional value may diminish over time. Merker describes freezer life as difficult to judge, so checking the food and its packaging remains useful.
How food is stored also affects spoilage and nutrition. Sassos says food may spoil faster when handled or stored improperly, and some foods can lose nutritional benefits after being open and exposed to light and air.
Dates to Treat With Care
Experts say not to ignore the best-by or use-by date on infant formula. Meat, poultry and dairy products also warrant close attention, along with checks for signs of spoilage.
Warning signs can include an unusual odor, discoloration or a slimy texture. Sassos says nutritional decline varies by food and storage conditions, but it is not generally something to worry excessively about.
Key points
- Sell-by dates are intended for retailers, not as a direct food-safety deadline for consumers.
- Experts recommend checking food for spoilage instead of relying only on printed dates.
- Shelf-stable foods are often safe after best-by dates, with exceptions.
- Pay close attention to infant formula, meat, poultry and dairy products.