Can You Eat Food After the Expiration Date?
Many foods are safe to eat after the printed date. Most dates are about quality, not safety. 'Best by' and 'sell by' dates indicate peak freshness, not spoilage. However, 'use by' dates on perishables like meat, dairy, and prepared foods should be taken more seriously. When in doubt, use your senses.
Key Takeaways
- Date labels are confusing because they are not standardized.
- High-risk foods (raw meat, seafood, deli items, soft [cheeses](/can-you-freeze-cheese)) warrant more caution after dates.
- Canned goods can last years past dates if cans are undamaged; bulging cans should always be discarded.
Explanation
Date labels are confusing because they are not standardized. 'Sell by' tells stores when to remove items. 'Best by' or 'best before' suggests peak quality. 'Use by' is the strongest indicator but is still often conservative. Only infant formula has federally regulated expiration dates.
Many shelf-stable foods (canned goods, dry pasta, cereal, condiments) are fine well past their dates. These dates indicate when quality might start declining, not when food becomes unsafe. Proper storage extends usability significantly.
Trust your senses for most foods. Look for mold, discoloration, or swelling. Smell for off odors. Taste a tiny amount if unsure. These checks are more reliable than arbitrary dates for determining if food is good. However, some bacteria do not change appearance or smell, so be cautious with high-risk foods.
Things to Know
- High-risk foods (raw meat, seafood, deli items, soft cheeses) warrant more caution after dates.
- Canned goods can last years past dates if cans are undamaged; bulging cans should always be discarded.
- Food waste from discarding good food based on dates is a significant environmental and economic issue.