Best By, Use By, Sell By, Oh My!

If you’ve ever wondered — “What does this sell by date mean on my jug of milk? Can I still use it in my cereal, or is it past the point of no return?” — you are not alone. 

The Bottom Line

Manufacturers want grocers to turn their product. Grocers don’t want complaints on food that’s lost some of its “ooomf”. Consumers want guidance on how long their food is good to eat. All of these are reasons for offering food dates, but they do not mean you should throw food away.  

According to USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (Source): 

• A “Best if Used By/Before” date indicates when a product will be of best flavor or quality.  It is not a purchase or safety date.

• A “Sell-By” date tells the store how long to display the product for sale for inventory management.  It is not a safety date. 

• A “Use-By” date is the last date recommended for the use of the product while at peak quality. It is not a safety date except for when used on infant formula 
• A “Freeze-By” date indicates when a product should be frozen to maintain peak quality. It is not a purchase or safety date.

Except for baby formula, these dates are indicators of best flavor and peak quality. So, use your judgment and senses. Unsure about a carton of milk? Give it a smell. For bread, check for mold. Bad produce will often exhibit a musty or acrid odor and give visual cues like sliminess. In any case, a food’s date does not correspond to spoilage, and more often, will precede it.  

These guidelines indicate number of days after date on package an unopened item may be okay to eat:

• Dairy: 
  • Eggs: 1 month
  • Milk: 7 days
  • Yogurt: 7 days
  • Shredded cheese: 2 weeks
  • Block cheese: 3 months
• Grocery: 
  • Baking mixes: 1 year
  • Canned goods: 1-2 years
  • Cereal: 6-12 months
  • Chips: 2 months
  • Juices: 3 weeks
  • Sauces: 1 year
• Use a fridge magnet like this one to remind yourself how long your food is good for beyond it’s printed date, you can pick one up at the Table to Table office!

More Tips: 

• Freeze meat, cheese, and produce on or before “Use By” date. It’s good to eat for 4-12 months after. 
• Make a shopping list before going to the grocery store. 
• Make sure you store ethylene producing foods away from ethylene sensitive foods to extend freshness and prevent premature spoilage.
  • Learn what fruits and veggies are ethylene producers and which are ethylene sensitive.
• No need to wash your produce before storing it, but if you do, make sure it is very dry to ensure it doesn’t spoil prematurely due to dampness.
  • Find more produce storage tips.

Information Sources: 

• www.foodsafety.gov
• https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/food-product-dating 
• https://www.youtube.com/shorts/sxioRVYhNQA

The above are guidelines only. These tips are brought to you by the Love Food, Fight Waste initiative, a collaboration between Table to Table and the City of Iowa City. To learn more, visit https://table2table.org/lovefood/.