What Do Grocery ‘Best By’ Labels Really Mean?
Navigating grocery store labels can be confusing, especially when it comes to terms like “best by,” “use by,” and “sell by.” These labels are often mistaken for indicators of food safety, but according to the USDA, they primarily reflect quality rather than safety. Understanding these labels can help reduce unnecessary food waste, a significant issue in the U.S., where approximately 40% of food marked for consumption goes uneaten.
Understanding Food Date Labels
1.“Best If Used By/Before”
This label suggests when a product is expected to be at its best in terms of flavor and quality. It does not indicate food safety. A product may still be safe to consume after this date, though it might not taste as fresh.
2.“Sell By”
This label is intended for store inventory management. It tells retailers how long to display the product for sale, but it does not relate to food safety. It’s primarily about ensuring the product is sold while it’s still fresh.
3.“Use By”
This is the last date recommended for consuming the product while it’s at its peak quality. Like the other labels, it does not necessarily indicate safety, except when used on infant formula, which is required by federal law to have an expiration date.
4.“Freeze By”
This indicates the ideal time to freeze a product to maintain its peak quality. It’s not a safety date but rather a guideline to ensure the product remains at its best while frozen.
Decoding Expiration Dates
Confusion surrounding these labels often leads people to discard food prematurely, contributing to massive amounts of food waste. To minimize this waste, it’s crucial to rely on your senses rather than dates alone.
Nina Sevilla, a program advocate for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), explains, “Date labels usually indicate when food will be at its optimal freshness. If you have food a few days past that date, it’s likely still safe to consume.” Our senses—taste, smell, and sight—are our best indicators of whether food has gone bad. Spoiled food typically has a noticeable change in odor or appearance that signals it’s time to discard it.
Standardizing Food Labels
The NRDC is advocating for standardized food date labels to simplify consumer decision-making and reduce food waste. Until such measures are implemented, understanding the meaning behind these labels and using your senses to evaluate food quality can help prevent unnecessary disposal.
Tips for Managing Food Freshness
1.Use Your Freezer: Freezing food before the “freeze by” date can extend its shelf life and prevent spoilage. Ensure items are stored in airtight containers to maintain quality.
2.Organize Your Pantry and Fridge: Keeping track of what you have and using items before their quality degrades can help reduce waste. Rotate older items to the front to use them first.
3.Plan Your Meals: Creating meal plans and shopping lists can help you purchase only what you need and use up items before they lose their freshness.
By understanding the true purpose of food date labels and relying on your senses, you can make more informed decisions about food safety and quality, ultimately reducing waste and saving money.
