Understanding Food Date Labels: Sell By, Use By, and Best By

When you’re shopping, you’ve probably noticed dates printed on food labels: “Sell By,” “Use By,” or “Best By.” But what if the item in your cart is past that date—does that mean it’s unsafe?

At Grocery Bandit, we want you to shop with confidence. We never sell food that’s unsafe. Many items are still perfectly fine past the “Best By” date, but it helps to understand what these dates actually mean—and why most date labels are about quality, not safety.

What Do Food Date Labels Mean?

According to the Oregon Department of Agriculture and the USDA, here’s what those common labels actually tell you:

  • Sell By Date → For the store, not the consumer. It helps retailers know how long to display a product on shelves.

  • Best If Used By (or Before) Date → Suggests when a product is at peak flavor, texture, and quality—not a safety deadline.

  • Use By Date → Indicates the last date the product is expected to be at peak freshness. Beyond this, quality may decline but it is often still safe to eat.

  • Pull Date / Expiration Date → The recommended date to remove a product from sale. After this date, it should not be sold as fresh.

  • Packing Date → Tells you when the product was packaged in its final form for sale. This is especially common with canned and frozen goods.

👉 Important: Except for infant formula (which must be discarded after its “Use By” date), most food date labels are about quality, not safety.

Food Quality vs. Food Safety

There’s a big difference between food quality and food safety:

  • Quality = taste, texture, color, and overall eating experience.

  • Safety = whether food is free from harmful bacteria or spoilage.

Here’s what that means for your pantry and fridge:

  • Shelf-stable foods (like canned goods, pasta, or cereal) are generally safe long after their “Best By” or “Sell By” date, though flavor may fade.

  • Perishable foods (like dairy, meat, and fresh produce) have a limited shelf life and should be consumed before or shortly after the “Use By” date.

  • Frozen foods can stay safe for months beyond their date if stored properly—freezing halts bacterial growth, though texture may change over time.

Are Expired Foods Safe to Eat?

Many foods are safe beyond their printed date, but here’s a quick guide:

  • Canned goods → Safe for years if stored properly, unless the can is damaged, bulging, or leaking.

  • Dry goods (rice, pasta, flour) → Can last months to years past the date if kept dry and sealed.

  • Frozen foods → Safe indefinitely if kept at 0°F, but quality may decrease.

  • Dairy & meat → Should be consumed close to the “Use By” date, but your senses (smell, look, texture) are the best judge.

Dented Cans: Safe or Not?

Not all dents are created equal:

  • Minor dents → Usually safe, as long as the seam is intact.

  • Deep dents on seams or rims → Unsafe. These can break the can’s seal and allow bacteria like Clostridium botulinum to enter.

👉 Rule of thumb: If you can press your finger into the dent, discard the can.

Why This Matters

Food waste is more than just tossing out leftovers — it’s a global problem with real costs to families, communities, and the environment. In the U.S. alone, it’s estimated that 30–40% of the food supply is wasted each year, and confusion over food date labels is one of the leading causes.

Here’s why understanding these dates is so important:

1. Save Money at Home

Every year, American households throw away hundreds of dollars’ worth of perfectly safe food simply because the “Sell By” or “Best By” date passed. Knowing the difference between quality vs. safety means you can keep and use items longer without worry.

2. Reduce Food Waste

When good food goes into the trash, it doesn’t just waste money — it also wastes all the resources that went into making it (water, energy, labor, and transportation). By shopping smarter and storing food properly, you can help reduce waste in your own home.

3. Protect the Environment

Food waste that ends up in landfills creates methane gas, a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. By using your food longer and not tossing it too soon, you’re also helping the planet.

4. Shop Smarter & Store Wisely

Understanding labels helps you plan meals, rotate pantry items, and avoid overbuying. Grocery Bandit makes it easier by offering safe, high-quality products at amazing prices — including items close to or past their “Best By” dates that are still safe and delicious.

👉 Quick Tip: Store pantry staples in airtight containers, keep your freezer at 0°F, and use the “first in, first out” rule (use older items before newer ones). These small steps stretch your food (and your dollar) even further.

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