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Food experts say a best-by date generally signals when quality may begin to decline, not a universal deadline for safety. Storage, the type of food and signs of spoilage matter; infant formula and perishable foods such as meat, poultry and dairy call for extra caution.
Best-by dates are generally about food quality, not an automatic safety cutoff, according to food safety experts quoted by Good Housekeeping. Their guidance distinguishes those labels from dates with safety implications and says consumers should weigh the food type, storage and signs of spoilage before deciding whether to eat or discard an item.
A sell-by date is intended to help retailers manage stock rotation, not to tell shoppers that a product becomes unsafe that day. Food safety and policy expert Dr. Darin Detwiler told Good Housekeeping that the label is “literally about stock rotation.” A best-by date, by contrast, indicates when a product may begin to lose freshness. The source report says use-by or freeze-by dates indicate a food’s safety date under the legislation it discusses.
Many shelf-stable foods—including dry grains, bottled goods and canned foods—are typically safe after their best-by date if they have been stored properly and the packaging is intact. Good Housekeeping Chief Food Director Kate Merker advises skipping cans that are dented, rusty or bulging. Even when food remains safe, flavor and texture can deteriorate, and frozen food quality may decline over time.
Nutrition Director Stefani Sassos recommends checking for mold, unusual odors, discoloration and abnormal texture, while also considering whether food was handled and stored properly. The report urges particular care with infant formula; for meat, poultry and dairy, Sassos says to pay close attention to the date and spoilage signs. The guidance does not suggest tasting questionable food as a substitute for safe handling or inspection.
Date Labels Can Shape Food Waste
Confusion over food labels can affect both household decisions and the amount of food thrown away. The report cites an estimate that nearly 120 billion pounds of food are wasted in the United States each year, and a ReFED study finding that label confusion may account for up to 7 percent of U.S. food waste. Those figures describe the scale of the issue; they do not mean every item past its date is safe to eat.
Understanding the difference between a retail stock deadline and a freshness guide may help people avoid discarding food unnecessarily. But avoiding waste does not mean ignoring risk: food category, packaging condition and storage history remain central, and consumers should discard food when there are signs of spoilage or safety is in doubt.
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California Targets Sell-By Labels
The Good Housekeeping report says California recently became the first state to ban sell-by dates on most food packaging, aiming to reduce waste caused by confusing labels. It also reports that other states have introduced bills or similar policy initiatives to simplify date labeling. The source does not provide the law’s effective date or a detailed account of which products are covered.
The policy debate reflects a distinction between labels meant for retailers and labels intended to guide consumers. A sell-by date helps a store manage inventory; a best-by date describes expected freshness. Neither label, on its own, replaces safe storage and careful handling.
“A sell-by date is “literally about stock rotation.””
— Dr. Darin Detwiler, food safety and policy expert, quoted by Good Housekeeping
Dates Cannot Replace Food Checks
The report does not provide a single rule that can determine safety for every product past its date. Storage conditions, how long a package has been open, handling and the specific food all affect the assessment. The source also does not give product-by-product storage limits or explain the full legal meaning of use-by and freeze-by labels across jurisdictions. Smell and appearance can reveal some spoilage, but the article does not establish them as a guarantee that food is safe.
Watch for Label Policy Changes
California’s change and similar initiatives in other states may bring further changes to how date labels appear on packages. The source does not identify a next legislative milestone or say when other proposals might be decided. For consumers, the practical approach in the report is to learn what the label means, store food correctly, inspect packaging and discard items that show spoilage or raise safety concerns.
Key Questions
Does a best-by date mean food is unsafe afterward?
Not necessarily. Experts cited by Good Housekeeping say best-by dates generally indicate when freshness may begin to decline. Safety still depends on the food, its storage and whether it shows signs of spoilage.
What does a sell-by date mean?
A sell-by date is meant to guide retailers’ stock rotation. It is not, by itself, a consumer-facing statement that food becomes unsafe on that date.
Which foods may be safe past a best-by date?
Properly stored shelf-stable foods, such as dry grains and intact canned goods, are typically safe past their best-by date, according to the report. Discard cans that are dented, rusty or bulging, and remember that quality may decline.
What signs of spoilage should I check?
Look for mold, unusual odors, discoloration and abnormal texture, and consider whether the food was stored and handled correctly. If safety is uncertain, the report advises caution rather than eating the food.
Are there foods for which the date deserves extra attention?
Yes. Sassos specifically warns against ignoring the date on infant formula. For meat, poultry and dairy, check the date and watch closely for spoilage signs.
Source: goodhousekeeping.com
