What do ‘use by’ labels on food really mean?

Ferguson

Gazette intern reporter

Dates on food can be confusing – sell by, use by and best by – and government officials claim to be here to help.

According to KIRO 7 News, there is new legislation moving through Congress which aims to establish a national standard for dates on food labels. The goal is to ensure labeling on food is more clear so consumers are able to know exactly when a product would lose its quality or when it should be thrown out. This legislation would attempt to make clear on the label when the item is at its peak quality and the date after it should not be consumed, according to KIRO 7 News.

The labels found on food products typically read 'sell by,' 'best if used by' and 'use by.' All of those dates refer to the quality of the food, rather than its safety. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, the 'sell by' date is defined as how long the store can display the product for sale. The consumer should purchase the product before the date expires. The 'best if used by (or before)' date refers to the date recommended for best flavor quality. This is not a purchase or safety date. The 'use by' date is the last date recommended for use of the product while at peak quality. The manufacturer determines this date.

The USDA recommends for safety reasons that food products be consumed before their 'use by' or 'best if used by' date. Most foods are fine to eat past the date that is printed on the package, but if there is a 'sell by date' on the food, there is a limited amount of time to eat it before it spoils. For example, milk normally goes “bad” about one week after the 'sell by' date.

Not all food products are required to have a 'use by' date. However, infant formula is required to have a date put on it by manufacturers, by federal law. According to the regulation, “if consumed by that date, the formula or food must contain not less than the quantity of each nutrient as described on the label. Formula must maintain an acceptable quality to pass through an ordinary bottle nipple,” according to the FDA.

The USDA also recommends to throw out anything that appears to be spoiled or has an odd smell to it. Also, if a can is dented – or, worse, bloated – do not eat what is inside.