Is Expired Food Safe to Eat?

If you’ve ever gone into the refrigerator or your pantry to find a food item and found that it’s past the expiration date on the container, you’ve played the game of deciding whether to take your chances or err on the side of caution. Best-by, use-by, or sell-by dates don’t necessarily mean a food item is dangerous once they’re passed. By understanding what these dates mean and how they apply to different food types, you can make a more informed choice and cut down on food waste.
 
What does the date mean?
 
The United States Department of Agriculture notes expiration dates on food packaging typically indicate the quality of the product rather than whether it’s safe for consumption. It’s also important to note the difference verbiage makes as it can determine how long you have before you need to use a product.
 
Sell-by dates
 
According to the USDA, a sell-by date is included by a manufacturer to tell a retailer when to pull an item from the shelves and replace it with fresher stock. In most cases, food is safe to consume well after the sell-by date — WebMD’s Katy Hebebrand notes the example of dairy products, which are good for up to a week after the sell-by date. The USDA asserts poultry products should be used within two days of the sell-by date.
 
If you are unsure about using food past its sell-by date, use your senses and your best judgment. Once dairy begins to spoil, it will have a different smell, texture, and even color. If you notice an unpleasant odor, signs of mold, or a slimy texture, the food may not be safe to eat.
 
Best-if-used-by dates
 
Products that have a best-if-used-by date typically include canned goods and dry goods like spices or coffee. These items are what the USDA calls shelf-stable, and they’re essentially good into perpetuity as long as the integrity of the packaging is maintained. Consumer Reports contributor Lea Ceasrine writes a jar of salsa may hold up well after its best-if-used-by date, but it may not be as fresh or flavorful as it would have been had you used it sooner.
 
Use-by dates
 
A use-by date simply indicates the latest date on which full quality is guaranteed. The USDA notes eating food past the used-by date may not necessarily risk safety, but the product won’t be at peak quality. The exception to this rule is infant formula, which is federally regulated and not considered safe for use past its use-by date.
 
Freeze-by dates
 
Some foods will have a freeze-by date or include freezing along with the use-by date. The USDA notes bacteria will not grow on frozen food, so as long as it’s put in the freezer before it spoils, it will be safe to consume. If food sits in the freezer for too long, it may become what’s known as freezer-burned, which means the thawed food may be dry or have lost some of its flavor. In cases like this, the USDA recommends using the food in a dish like tacos or chili, which will allow you to mask the imperfections.
 
The best way to avoid food waste and putting yourself in the position of having to guess whether a food is safe to eat or not is to be more judicious when purchasing groceries. Rather than buying in bulk, create a menu for the next week or two, buy only what you need, and use products in accordance with the packaging dates to ensure optimal freshness.