Organization · Pantry date labels

Read food date labels: quality versus safety

Best-if-used-by, sell-by and use-by labels differ; infant formula needs special care.

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US FDA and USDA guidance explains that many U.S. food date labels refer to peak quality, not a guarantee of safety. Storage temperature, recalls, damaged packaging and spoilage matter independently of dates. Never use infant formula after its use-by date. Food labels and laws differ across countries; follow local rules.

Your try-it-at-home checklist

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Read the exact label wording, separating Best if Used By, Sell By and Use By.
In U.S. guidance, Best if Used By generally marks peak flavor and quality, not an automatic safety cutoff.
In the United States, Sell By is mainly an inventory-display instruction for stores; do not equate it with other countries' labels.
Check temperatures, damaged packaging, recalls and spoilage signs. Discard food if in doubt; normal smell cannot prove it is safe.
Never use infant formula after its Use By date; follow package instructions after opening and preparing it.
Move older safely stored foods to the front, but never let the label replace safe storage and handling decisions.

US FDAHow to Cut Food Waste and Maintain Food Safety ↗Explains U.S. best-if-used-by quality guidance, limits of date labels, and the need to examine food condition.US FDAHandling Infant Formula Safely: What You Need to Know ↗FDA specifically says not to use infant formula beyond its use-by date and to follow opened-container storage directions.USDA FSISFood Product Dating ↗USDA's indexed public guidance differentiates Best if Used By, Sell By, and Use By; direct page access was restricted, so claims were cross-checked with FDA pages.

Your try-it-at-home checklist

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