What Do Grocery ‘Best By’ Labels Actually Mean?
Labels on groceries can be overwhelming, particularly for items like dairy and meat.
Manufacturers provide their best estimate of when food is at its highest quality using terms such as “best by,” “use by,” and “sell by.”
However, according to the USDA, these dates don’t determine whether a product is safe to consume. Only infant formula must bear a date by federal law.
“Date labels typically show when food is expected to be freshest,” said Nina Sevilla, a program advocate with the Natural Resources Defense Council, which addresses food waste. “If you consume food a few days past that label, it is probably still safe to eat.”
Nonetheless, the variety of date labels can confuse shoppers, leading many to dispose of food before its time, which adds to the immense food waste problem. Approximately 40% of food suggested for consumption in the U.S. ends up uneaten.
Sevilla advises that the best way to determine if your food has spoiled is to use your senses.
“Generally, our bodies have an instinctive adverse reaction to the taste or smell of spoiled food,” she explained. “This evolutionary response helps us avoid consuming items that could be harmful.”
To reduce unnecessary waste, the NRDC is advocating for federal standards to unify food date labels. Until such changes occur, here’s a guide to understanding these labels and tips for prolonging food freshness using your freezer.
Understanding Common Food Labels
- “Best if used by/before” This indicates the period when food is expected to be at its best quality in terms of flavor. It is not a safety date.
- “Sell by” This tells retailers when to display the item for sale for stock management purposes. It is not a safety date.
- “Use by” This marks the last date the product should be consumed for optimal quality. It is not a safety date unless applied to infant formula.
- “Freeze by” This informs customers when a product should be frozen to preserve its quality. It is not a safety date.
