That yogurt passed its date yesterday. Is it garbage or still perfectly fine? Most people misunderstand what expiration dates actually mean, leading to massive food waste.
The Different Date Types
"Sell by" dates are for stores, not consumers. Food remains safe well past this date. "Best by" or "best before" indicates peak quality, not safety. "Use by" is the most conservative estimate of when quality begins declining. Only "expires on" carries legal weight, primarily for infant formula.
What Dates Don't Tell You
These dates assume proper storage. Food stored incorrectly spoils faster regardless of the printed date. Conversely, well-stored food often lasts longer. Temperature, humidity, and contamination affect shelf life more than calendar dates.
How to Actually Know
Your senses provide better guidance than dates. Off smells, unusual textures, mold growth, and strange tastes indicate spoilage. If something looks and smells normal, it's likely fine regardless of the date.
Foods That Last Beyond Dates
Canned goods remain safe for years past their dates if undamaged. Eggs stay good for weeks beyond sell-by dates when refrigerated. Hard cheeses, mustard, and many condiments have extended usable life. Bread freezes well long past any printed date.
This article was generated by AI to provide informational content.