WHAT USE-BY AND BEST-BY REALLY MEAN
When the "sell-by" date on the milk is October 13, can you still drink it on October 16? It's easy for consumers to be confused by the meaning of "use-by," "sell by" and best-by" dates. You may ignore the dates completely and be tempted to eat food that has gone past its prime or needlessly toss food you could have safely consumed.
The Institute of Food Technologists has clarified what each means:
Use-By Date
You should use the product by the date on the label. That said, the date is more of a quality indicator than a health indicator. Food consumed after the use-by date won't taste as good. Unless it is a very long time after the use-by date, chances are you won't get sick eating it.
Sell-By Date
This label is aimed at retailers, who should either sell the product by the date on the label or remove it from their shelves. But this does not mean the product is unsafe to eat after the sell-by date. Typically, one-third of a product's shelf-life remains after the sell-by date for the consumer to use at home.
Best-By Date
This is a suggestion to the consumer on which date the product should be consumed to assure for ideal quality.
Bottom line: Be smart. Use your sense of smell to determine if a food is safe to eat. If in doubt, throw it out.
The Institute of Food Technologists has clarified what each means:
Use-By Date
You should use the product by the date on the label. That said, the date is more of a quality indicator than a health indicator. Food consumed after the use-by date won't taste as good. Unless it is a very long time after the use-by date, chances are you won't get sick eating it.
Sell-By Date
This label is aimed at retailers, who should either sell the product by the date on the label or remove it from their shelves. But this does not mean the product is unsafe to eat after the sell-by date. Typically, one-third of a product's shelf-life remains after the sell-by date for the consumer to use at home.
Best-By Date
This is a suggestion to the consumer on which date the product should be consumed to assure for ideal quality.
Bottom line: Be smart. Use your sense of smell to determine if a food is safe to eat. If in doubt, throw it out.
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