How to Understand Food Expiration Dates

When it comes to food expiration dates, I drive my husband mad. That is, he doesn’t believe in expiration dates–you know, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

I have to say that being married to him for 30 years has affected how I look at food expiration dates. I’ll admit that I’ll still toss food that has expired and smells or looks bad. But I’ve made baby steps in that I’ve eaten Greek yogurt and bread past its expiration date.

But I do think that my husband is onto something. I mean are food expiration dates legit? And are they really about expired foods? Or just best to be eaten by dates?

I did some digging so you don’t have to and came up with what I hope is an easy to understand guide to expirations date for all kinds of food and drink.

Food expirations dates explained

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), there is only one food product sold in America that has a legit expiration date. That product is infant or baby formula. 

The USDA says that you should not buy or give a baby formula that has passed its “use by” date. This is because there is the chance that the formula nutrient quality is no longer up to manufacturer standards.

But that’s it. No other food sold in American grocery stores has an expiration date that you’re required to follow as a consumer. Some states have restrictions on if food can be sold after a certain date, but more about that in a bit. 

In fact, expiration date is a bit of a misnomer. It’s better to describe these as “best if used by” or “sell by” or “best if used before” dates. And these are all just suggestions.

Food dates are about quality

It’s important to keep in mind that when it comes to dates on foods, these are just suggestions for quality. So, if you want to eat food that tastes the best, you should eat it before the “use by” or “sell by” date.

This is true with shelf-stable packaged foods, frozen food and canned goods. However, the USDA points out some things to look for that might signify that this food is no longer safe to eat.

Canned food expiration dates

Most canned food is good to eat for years to come. This includes everything from tomato sauce to tuna. Again, the expiration date on the can isn’t about safety–it’s about quality.

That being said, there are three things to look for on canned goods that suggest they are no longer safe to eat. And this is true whether the expiration date has come and gone or not.

One, swelling in the can. In other words, it’s bulging outwards

Two, dents in the can.

Three, rust on the can.

All of these things can indicate that the can’s integrity is compromised, meaning it’s no longer keeping the food safe to eat. Or the food itself has spoiled and is fermenting, thus the building can. Either way, get rid of it.

Specific brands and expirations dates

I know that readers likely have questions about specific brands and kinds of food and what their expiration dates are–or if they exist. I did my best to track down information to get you the answers you seek.

Starbucks expiration dates

Asking about Starbucks expiration dates is, once again, a misnomer. Instead, what you want to know is the Starbucks “Best Before” date.

This Q&A on Amazon about Starbucks beans tells you exactly where to look for this date on packages.

For things like Starbucks Cold Brew and other refrigerated products, I found that the label suggests consuming within seven days of opening. Then it says, “For best taste, drink by date on bottle.”

You’ll notice that it doesn’t say expiration date or product is unsafe. It explains that the product will taste the best if consumed by the date on the bottle, which is likely the “Best Before” date.

Knorr expiration dates

The brand Knorr explains that dates on its packages are not expiration but instead are “Best If Used By” dates:

“We recommend that you use your product by this date to assure the product’s optimum quality and freshness.”

Kellogg’s expiration dates

Like Knorr Kellogg’s explains that any dates on packaging is for “Best If Used By.”

“We print a “Best If Used By” date on each product package to indicate the date that we guarantee the freshness and quality of the product. The product is still safe to eat after that date but you might notice a change in texture or flavor.”

This is true for all Kellogg’s products, including everything from Rice Krispies Treats to Keebler crackers.

Kraft Heinz expiration dates

While I couldn’t get specifics on how long Kraft Heinz foods are good for–including velveeta cheese–I did learn that on this company’s packaging you’ll find the phrase “Best When Used By.” So, slightly different wording than other national brands.

Pillsbury and General Mills brands

A few years ago, General Mills put out a helpful fact sheet about its products and their expiration dates. This fact sheet is designed to help people who are donating food that’s “sell by date” may have come and gone. 

This PDF can help you, too, understand how long after a “sell by date” you can still eat products from General Mills, like Pillsbury crescent dough and frozen vegetables.

Gatorade expiration dates

I grabbed this explanation about freshness and dates on Gatorade bottles so you can understand what they mean:

“[It] is the recommended use by date when Gatorade is at its optimal freshness and flavor versus an expiration date. Gatorade is a shelf stable product, not a perishable product like milk or juice. Although not perishable, proper storage is essential to maintaining freshness for the longest period of time since improper storage, such as exposure to high temperatures, direct sunlight, humidity, etc., may reduce the recommended shelf life of any product. Always store Gatorade in a clean, dry and cool location.”

Do K cups expire

If you have Keurig coffee machine like I do, then you may wonder if K cups expire. Truth is, I don’t know.

However, here is what I do know.

Some K cups or Keurig coffee pods have a best to use by date on them. They might appear like the ones below that say BUBD or best use by date, and then the numerical date.

It’s important to keep in mind that a best use by date is not an expiration date. Instead, think of it this way: that K cup in the picture is a hazelnut flavored coffee pod. So, my take on that date is that after February 10, 2025, perhaps the hazelnut won’t taste as good as it once did.

Expiration dates on open food and leftovers

At some point you may have read articles about the safety of Thanksgiving dinner leftovers. That is, by the time Cyber Monday rolls around, you should have eaten all the leftovers.

If not, you need to freeze them before day four or toss them. That’s because most leftovers are only good for four days in the refrigerator. Then things become questionable.

It’s the same with open packages of food. While they may not expire as quickly as the Thanksgiving turkey, they will not last indefinitely in the refrigerator.

How to know when expired food is truly bad

Many foods will last for one to two weeks after you open them. However, use some of your senses to determine if they’re still good.

One, how does the food look? If you go to take some yogurt and it has mold growing in it, get rid of it. On the other hand, if you see mold growing on a block of hard cheese, you can cut that part off, throw it away and eat the rest.

Two, how does the food smell? For example, your nose will know if fresh produce or milk has gone bad. 

Three, how does the food feel? Slimy luncheon meat has no place in a sandwich. Toss it in the trash.

However, bread could feel stale and still be safe to eat. Maybe use it to make croutons or French toast. On the other hand, if that stale bread is also growing mold, then it belongs in the compost pile.

Here are the rules about if and when does alcohol expire.

State rules on food expiration dates

I’d mentioned earlier that on the federal level, only sales of baby formula are prohibited after an expiration date. However, each state may have its own rules that retailers have to follow about selling something after its “best to use by” date has come and gone.

For example, I recently learned that Pennsylvania (where I’ve lived for nearly 20 years) does not allow stores to sell milk if the date on the package has expired. This, even though the milk could still be perfectly good. No wonder the USDA estimates that 30 percent of food sold in stores ends up in the waste stream.

Turns out Pennsylvania is not alone with this requirement. Here are the states that ban stores from selling dairy and milk specifically after the use-by date include:

• Florida
• Georgia
• Kentucky
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Montana
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• Pennsylvania
• Virginia
• Washington, DC

Many retailers have gotten better about donating food they can no longer sell, but that’s fodder for another article in the future.

Finally, this food spoilage chart from ReFED, a national nonprofit working to end food loss and waste across the food system, and the Food Law and Policy Clinic of Harvard Law School can help you navigate state food rules.

Be mindful of expiration dates when shopping at dollar stores.

Here’s how to know when to throw out food after a power outage.

Finally, find out how the Flashfood app can help you save money on groceries nearing their best buy date.

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture