You’ve been there:

You open the fridge, reach for the milk… and pause.

“Wait — it says ‘Best By’ yesterday. Is this still safe?”

You’re not alone. Millions of people throw out perfectly good food every year — not because it’s spoiled, but because they misunderstand what expiration labels actually mean.

Here’s the truth: 👉 Most dates on food packaging are not safety deadlines. They’re about quality, not danger.

And thanks to confusing labels, the average American household wastes over $1,500 worth of food each year.

Let’s clear up the confusion once and for all — so you can eat safely, save money, and reduce waste.

Because real food safety isn’t about fear. It’s about knowing what those dates really mean.

🔍 Why Expiration Dates Are So Confusing

In the U.S., food manufacturers use a variety of date labels — but none are federally regulated for most foods (except infant formula).

The result? A patchwork of terms that sound serious but aren’t standardized.


✅Best if Used By	Peak flavor and quality — not a safety warning
✅Use By	Suggested last date for best quality (often used for perishables)
✅Sell By	For store inventory — tells retailers when to pull items from shelves
✅Expires On	Rare; sometimes used on baby formula — indicates when nutrient levels may decline