Prep

Food expiration dates: what does the label really mean?

Pick the words on the package and the type of food. Add the date if you have it. You'll get what USDA and the FDA say, and what to do next.

Infant formula is the exception. Federal regulations require a Use-By date on it. Don't buy or use it after that date.

What does the pack say?

What's the food?

The labels at a glance

On the packAboutWhat it means
Best if Used By or BeforeQualityBest flavor or quality. Not a purchase or safety date.
Use-ByQualityLast date for peak quality. It's a safety date only on infant formula.
Sell-ByFor the storeHow long to display it. Not a safety date.
Freeze-ByQualityWhen to freeze it for peak quality. Not a purchase or safety date.
Letters and numbers on a canFor the makerTracking code. Not meant to be read as a date.

Infant formula is the exception to all of these: don't buy or use it after its Use-By date.

From preppantry.app. Checked 2 November 2026. Independent tool, not official advice.

How it works

This tool applies USDA and FDA guidance on date labels. It doesn't look at your food, and it can't tell you whether something is safe to eat. If in doubt, throw it out.

The US system isn't like most people think. USDA says that except for infant formula, product dating isn't required by federal regulations, and dates aren't an indicator of a product's safety. There are no uniform or universally accepted descriptions for these labels. More than 20 states do require dates on some foods, so what you see can vary by state.

Best if Used By or Before means best flavor or quality. Sell-By tells the store how long to display the product. Use-By is the last date recommended for peak quality. Freeze-By says when to freeze for peak quality. USDA says none of these is a purchase or safety date, except a Use-By date on infant formula.

Letters and numbers on cans are closed dating. They help manufacturers rotate stock and locate products in a recall. They aren't meant to be read as a Best if Used By date.

What does matter is handling. USDA says food should still be safe after the date if it's been handled properly, until spoilage shows. Mishandled food can be unsafe before the date. Refrigerated food needs to stay at 40°F or below, and not be left out for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour at 90°F or hotter.

What this means for a stockpile: a date passing doesn't mean throwing out canned or dry food. Check it, use it soon, and put new stock behind old. Infant formula, and baby food, need firm rotation: the FDA says formula and some baby foods must be used by the date on the package.

Common questions

Is food safe after the expiration date?

USDA says that, with the exception of infant formula, a product should still be safe and wholesome after the date if it's been handled properly, until spoilage shows. Spoiled food has an off odor, flavor or texture, and shouldn't be eaten.

Why is infant formula different?

FDA regulations require a Use-By date on it, set by the manufacturer. Up to that date, the manufacturer guarantees the nutrient content and quality. After it, the FDA says formula should not be fed to infants.

What does sell-by mean?

It tells the store how long to display the product. USDA says it isn't a safety date, and a shelf-stable product can be safely used after it.

Does a use-by date mean food is unsafe after it?

Except on infant formula, no. USDA says a Use-By date is the last date recommended for peak quality. Check the food for spoilage before you eat it.

How do I read the code on a can?

You aren't really meant to. Can codes are letters and numbers that track the product, and USDA says they aren't for consumers to read as a Best if Used By date. Write the purchase date on the can instead.

Are date labels required by law?

Federally, only on infant formula. USDA says dating of some foods is required by more than 20 states, and any date used on meat, poultry or egg products must be truthful and not misleading.

Sources

Checked on 2 November 2026. This is an independent tool and not official advice. See sources and method.

Next