Understanding Food Expiration Dates: How to Save Money and Reduce Waste

With grocery prices climbing nationwide, driven by inflation, saving on food is more important than ever. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported that in June 2022, food prices were over 10% higher than a year before, affecting everyday essentials like bread, eggs, and meat. Learning to interpret food expiration dates can help stretch your grocery budget and minimize food waste.

Many Americans discard food after the “sell by” date, worried it may no longer be safe. A 2011 Food Marketing Institute study found that 91% of Americans occasionally throw out food past its “sell by” date, with 25% doing so consistently. This cautious approach contributes to an estimated 30–40% of the U.S. food supply going to waste annually, equating to 133 billion pounds and $161 billion lost in 2010, according to the USDA.

Understanding food labels can benefit both your wallet and the environment. Food waste is a significant contributor to climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, as reported by the United Nations Environment Programme.

Why Food Expiration Dates Are Confusing

The lack of federal regulation and standard definitions for food labels adds to the confusion. A 2007 study published in the Journal of Food Protection found that less than half of U.S. adults understood the “sell by” date, and many mistakenly thought it indicated the last safe day to consume the food. State laws differ, and some advocates, like Dana Gunders of ReFED, a nonprofit tackling food waste, are pushing for standardized labeling.

What Food Expiration Dates Really Mean

The labels “best by,” “use by,” and “sell by” are not safety dates but rather indicators of a product’s peak quality:

• Best if Used By/Before: This label suggests when a product will be at its best quality or flavor. It doesn’t mean the food is unsafe after that date, just that its taste or texture may diminish.
• Use By: This date is the last recommended day for consuming a product at peak quality, often used on perishable foods like meat and dairy.
• Sell By: This is primarily for inventory management in stores, indicating how long a product should be available for sale. You can usually consume food after this date if there are no signs of spoilage.

When to Discard Food

So, should you toss food after the label dates? Generally, no—unless the item shows signs of spoilage, like unusual odors, color changes, or texture differences. The only exception is baby formula, which should not be used after the use-by date due to FDA regulations.

Canned foods, for example, often last well beyond their label date. Low-acid foods (such as canned vegetables) can remain at their best quality for up to five years, while high-acid foods (like pickles and fruits) can last 12–18 months. Cans in good condition stored in a cool, dry place can be safe indefinitely.

The Benefits of Freezing Food

Freezing is a great way to extend the life of many foods. Meats, casseroles, soups, and frozen dinners can remain safe indefinitely when frozen promptly because bacteria can’t grow at freezer temperatures.

Foodborne Illness and Expiration Dates

Although food labels aren’t designed for safety, observing them can sometimes help avoid bacterial infections. Bacteria like listeria can thrive even at refrigerator temperatures, meaning that perishable items kept in the fridge too long can reach dangerous bacterial levels.