About Best Before vs Use By Dates
Date labels on food packaging cause more confusion than almost anything else in the kitchen. Americans throw away an estimated 80 billion pounds of food annually, and a large portion of that is food that was still perfectly safe to eat. The root issue: most people don't know the difference between "best before," "best by," "use by," and "sell by."
In the US, only "use by" on infant formula is federally mandated for safety. All other date labels are voluntary quality indicators set by manufacturers. "Best before" and "best by" mean the food is at peak quality before that date — not that it becomes unsafe afterward. "Sell by" is a store inventory guideline, not a safety cutoff. Only "use by" on meat and dairy should be treated strictly as a safety date.
The practical approach: trust your senses. If food looks, smells, and tastes normal, it's almost always safe even if the date has passed. If it's slimy, smells off, or shows mold — discard it, regardless of the date. Use this guide as a reference, but always apply the sight-smell-taste test as your final check.
Frequently Asked Questions
Food labeling varies by region. The EU uses "best before" (quality) and "use by" (safety) consistently. The US uses a mix of "best by," "sell by," and "use by" with no federal standardization (except infant formula). The UK follows EU-style labeling. Knowing which type your label uses is the first step to not wasting food.
Frozen food is technically safe indefinitely since bacteria can't grow at 0°F (-18°C). However, quality degrades over time through freezer burn and texture changes. For best quality, follow USDA freezer guidelines: meat 3–12 months, vegetables 8–12 months, bread 2–3 months.
Treat these strictly: raw meat and poultry, raw fish, ready-to-eat deli items (especially for vulnerable groups), and infant formula. These carry real food safety risks beyond their use by date. Other foods — dry goods, canned, frozen — are much more forgiving.