Best by vs use by vs sell by: what food dates really mean
Short answer: "Best by", "use by" and "sell by" are about quality, not safety. The one exception is "use by" on infant formula. Most food stays safe past its date if it was stored properly, until it smells, tastes or looks off.
What each date means
| Label | What it tells you | Safety date? |
|---|---|---|
| Best if used by / Best before | Best flavor or quality | No |
| Sell by | How long the store should display it | No |
| Use by | Last date for peak quality | No, except on infant formula |
| Freeze by | Freeze it by this date for best quality | No |
Apart from infant formula, U.S. federal rules don't require dates on food at all. Manufacturers add them to tell you about quality, and the wording isn't standardized, which is why the same yogurt can say "best by" in one store and "use by" in another.
Can you eat food after the date?
Usually, yes. The USDA says food other than infant formula should generally stay safe and wholesome past its date if it was handled properly, until it shows signs of spoiling: an off smell, flavor or texture. Check the food itself, not only the label.
The exception is how long food has been open or cooked. Leftovers keep 3–4 days in the fridge whatever the package said, and raw chicken or ground beef keeps 1–2 days. Those limits are about safety, so throw the food out once they pass.
How to stop throwing out food over a date
- Sort by the date you opened it, not the printed one. Opened food runs out first.
- Ignore "sell by" at home. It's for the store's stock, not for you.
- Freeze before the date, not after. Freezing pauses the clock, and frozen food at 0°F stays safe indefinitely.
- Keep the fridge at 40°F (4°C) or colder. Every date assumes it.
Common questions
What's the difference between best by and use by?
"Best by" is about flavor and quality. "Use by" is the last date the maker recommends for peak quality. Neither is a safety date, except "use by" on infant formula.
Is it safe to eat food past the sell-by date?
Generally yes. "Sell by" tells the store how long to display the product. Food handled properly should stay safe past it until it shows signs of spoiling.
Are expiration dates required by law?
Not federally in the U.S., except on infant formula. Some states have their own rules, often for milk.
How do I know if food has gone bad?
An off smell, flavor or texture means it has spoiled. For meat and poultry, a change in color alone isn't a sign of spoilage. When in doubt, throw it out.
How long food lasts
Source: USDA FSIS guide to food product dating. This page is general information, not medical advice. When in doubt, throw it out.