Home › Glossary › Use-By vs Best-By vs Sell-By Dates
Most US food date labels (use-by, best-by, sell-by) are quality indicators set by manufacturers, not federal safety dates. Only infant formula has a federally regulated use-by date.
Per USDA and FDA, with the single exception of infant formula, US food date labels are NOT federal safety regulations. They are manufacturer estimates of quality (peak flavor, peak texture, peak freshness). Most properly-stored foods are safe to eat past these dates if there are no signs of spoilage (off smell, mold, slime, discoloration). Misunderstanding date labels contributes meaningfully to the USDA-estimated 30% household food waste.
A carton of milk shows 'Sell-by April 15.' This date is when the store should pull it from shelves — not when the milk becomes unsafe. Properly refrigerated, sealed milk is typically safe and palatable 5-7 days past the sell-by date. Trust your senses (smell, taste a small amount). A jar of pickles with 'Best by 2024' from 2025 is almost certainly still safe and tasty.
The infant formula exception: Federal regulation requires infant formula to have a use-by date enforced as a safety date. After this date, formula may not have the labeled nutrient content even if it doesn't appear spoiled. For all other food: Use your senses, refer to USDA storage guidelines, and don't reflexively throw away food just because of a printed date.