Deciphering date labels

Deciphering date labels


Confused by the date labels on groceries? You’re not alone. Thirty-seven percent of Americans discard food when it’s close to or past the printed date, according to a recent Harvard University study. As a result, 40 percent of food in America is unnecessarily tossed each year.

You can prevent waste and extend the life of your food by understanding popular date labels. Found on most packaged foods, meats and dairy products, date labels commonly say “use by,” “sell by,” “expired by,” or “best before.” There is no regulation of these labels — it’s an entirely voluntary system. Federal law only requires date labels on baby formula and baby foods. Some states require labels on dairy products, but not all. Date labels found on most foods are the manufacturer’s best guess at how long the item will last. Most food is fine to eat past the printed date, but learning the lingo behind the labels is helpful.

The “sell by” label tells the store how long to display the item for sale. Most stores try to sell items before this date arrives, but food will still be safe to eat for days after. The “best if used by” label explains how long the item will taste its freshest. After this date, the flavor may change. For example, salsa might become more acidic if opened after its printed date. The “use by” date is the last day the manufacturer recommends using the product. If stored properly, it’s fine to use for some time after.

While these ambiguous labels can be confusing, they’re meant to be a guide, not an order. Food properly refrigerated or frozen will last longer. And if you’re really unsure whether something is safe to eat, use the look and sniff test. If it looks or smells horrid, toss it out.

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