Food date labels primarily indicate quality, not safety. Many foods remain safe beyond the printed date if stored correctly.
Common labels
- Sell-by: For retailers; not a safety cutoff
- Best-by / Best if used by: Quality peak date
- Use-by: Manufacturer’s estimate of last day of peak quality
When in doubt, rely on temperature control and sensory checks (smell, color, texture). See related items: Milk · Bread · Yogurt