We've All Been Misled by Sell-By Dates
California will ban sell-by dates on food packaging as of July 2026. Terms like "best if used by" or "use by" may be used instead.
The goal of this bill is to address the fact that confusing food labels contribute to significant food waste.
Canned and dry goods are usually fine past the best-by dates on labels, especially if they show no signs of spoilage, like dents or rust.
To assess your food's freshness, rely on sight, smell and taste, especially for perishable items.
Every year, nearly 120 billion pounds of food is wasted in the U.S. alone. While much of this can be attributed to supply chain issues, overly high cosmetic standards for produce and other systemic challenges, there’s another, often overlooked contributor: confusing date labels on food packaging. In fact, this confusion may account for up to seven percent of food waste in the U.S., according to a study by the nonprofit ReFed.
But change is on the horizon. In an effort to reduce food waste and help consumers better understand the shelf life of their food, California Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed a bill banning the use of sell-by dates on most food packaging, with the exception of infant formula, eggs, pasteurized in-shell eggs beer and other malt beverages. Sell-by dates indicate a target deadline for retailers to sell goods. California is now the first state to outlaw sell-by dates and mandate standardized food labeling.
Whether you live in California or not, deciphering the often-confusing labels on cans and bottles can be frustrating. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, more than 50 different types of date labels appear on packaged food in grocery stores. The most common ones include "sell-by," "use-by," "freeze-by" and "best if used by/before." However, none of these labels actually indicate when a product has expired.
Understanding these labels is crucial for shoppers to feel confident and safe. Not only can reducing the amount of perfectly good food thrown away help lower your grocery bills, but it also reduces the harmful emissions caused by rotting food in landfills. Considering that up to 40% of the U.S. food supply is wasted each year, every effort counts.
While this all sounds promising, the question remains: If food date labels don’t provide the best indicators in regards to when to toss our food, how can we avoid accidentally consuming (or buying) expired products? Unlike fresh items like milk or meat, which clearly show signs of spoilage, it’s much harder to know, for example, whether a can of beans is still safe to eat. To answer this deceptively tricky question, we consulted nutrition, culinary and food safety experts to ask: Keep or toss?
Sell-by vs. best-by
When it comes to reducing food waste at home, there’s a distinct difference between the various food date labels you see at the grocery store. Part of the reason California chose to ban sell-by labels is that they don’t convey anything meaningful to consumers.
As food safety and policy expert Dr. Darin Detwiler explains, a sell-by date is "literally about stock rotation." For example, he notes, if you go to the store now, you’ll likely see Halloween-themed cereal boxes with instructions to "stop selling on November 1st." On the other hand, "best-by dates indicate when a product may start losing freshness," says Detwiler. However, that doesn’t mean it’s unsafe to eat after that date. A use-by or freeze-by date indicates the safety date of the food item, according to the legislation.
Instead of relying strictly on these labels, Detwiler recommends using your senses — sight, smell and taste — to determine if food is still good to consume. Good Housekeeping's Nutrition Director Stefani Sassos, M.S., R.D.N., agrees. “It’s most important to use common sense and check for signs of spoilage,” Sassos advises.
What foods can I (safely) eat after the best-by date?
In general, shelf-stable foods — such as jerky, canned goods, bottled items and dry grains like rice and flour — are typically safe to eat after the "best-by" date on the label, with a few exceptions.
"If a can is dented, rusted or bulging, skip it," advises Good Housekeeping's Chief Food Director, Kate Merker. However, if a can shows no obvious signs of spoilage, Merker feels comfortable cooking with it. "Canned beans and tomatoes are what I stock the most," she says. "I'll use them in soups, chilis, stews and sauces, regardless of how long they've been on my shelves."
For more guidance on shelf-stable foods, check out this fact sheet from the USDA.
However, just because food is safe doesn’t mean it will still taste good, Merker explains. “I've found that the best-by date can directly relate to the taste and texture of food,” she says. “The further you get from the best-by date, the more you should adjust your expectations.”
This is especially true for frozen items. “Freezer life can be tough,” Merker adds. While most foods can be safely frozen for months or even longer, their taste, texture and nutritional value may start to decline over time.
How do I check for signs of spoilage?
In addition to checking the packaging, looking, smelling and tasting are other important ways to assess your food’s safety and freshness.
“It’s important to educate yourself on signs of food spoilage,” says Sassos. “We often think of visual indicators like mold, but you should also pay attention to off odors, flavors or textures.” While being mindful of food waste is important, don’t hesitate to toss something if you’re on the fence. “If you’re questioning it,” Sassos adds, “chances are something is off.”
Merker agrees, noting, “I grew up in a household where the sniff-and-then-taste test was paramount to all — except, of course, when there was visible mold.” Sassos also emphasizes that proper food storage is crucial to preventing waste: “Food spoilage can happen much faster if food isn’t stored or handled properly.”
Does nutritional value degrade over time?
In addition to quality, there’s evidence that the nutritional value of food can decline over time, particularly produce. This depends on the type of food and how it's stored, says Sassos. For example, “if a food container has been open for a week and exposed to light and air, it can lose some of its nutritional benefits.” However, she adds, “it’s not something to lose sleep over.”
Are there any foods I should never consume after the best-by date?
Of course, there are some products where you should never ignore the best-by or use-by date. “Infant formula, for sure,” says Sassos. As for meats, poultry and dairy products, “it’s important to pay close attention and watch for signs of spoilage,” she advises. These signs include off odors, discoloration and a slimy texture, among other indicators.
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