Food date labels decoder
- 2 cited USDA/FDA/FSIS sources
- Reviewed 2026-06-26 by FoodLasts Editorial Team
U.S. date labels are confusing because they use different words for quality vs safety. Except infant formula, most dates are not “throw out at midnight” rules — storage temperature and spoilage signs matter more.
Quick decoder
| Label | What it means | Safety? | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sell-by | Store inventory guide | Not a discard date for consumers | Buy before this date; food is often fine for days after if kept cold. |
| Best if used by / Best before | Peak quality | Quality, not automatic spoilage | Safe past the date if stored properly and shows no spoilage signs. |
| Use-by | Last date for peak quality (perishables) | Quality guide for most foods; exception: infant formula | Use senses + storage temp; discard formula after use-by. |
| Freeze-by | Last recommended freeze date | Quality-focused | Freeze before this date for best texture after thawing. |
| Packed on / Born on | Production date | Helps trace freshness | Use with category shelf-life guides — not a standalone safety deadline. |
Past the date on common foods
- Milk — often fine several days past sell-by if kept at 40°F
- Eggs — refrigerate; float test if unsure
- Yogurt — quality declines; discard if mold or sour smell
- Raw chicken — use within 1–2 days of purchase, not the printed date alone
- Bread — best-by is staleness; toss if moldy
Related guides
Use-by vs best-before (full guide) · How to tell if food is bad · The 2-hour rule
Related on FoodLasts
Guides: Use-By vs Best-Before vs Sell-By: What Food Dates Really Mean · How to Tell If Food Has Gone Bad · The 2-Hour Rule: How Long Can Food Sit Out?
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Sources: USDA FSIS — Food Product Dating , FDA — Use-Date Labels on Food . Source content reviewed .