Understanding Expiration Dates and Food Safety

Understand food labels and make safer, smarter food decisions.

If a food is past the expiration date, is it safe to eat? Here is a quick guide to help you better understand expiration dates, food quality, and food safety.

Scroll down to read guide (↓)

Man looking inside an open refrigerator while checking stored food items, illustrating evaluating food freshness and safe food storage at home.

Understanding Expiration Dates

There is no standardized system for food dating in the United States. Approximately 40 states require dates on some perishable foods, such as meat and dairy.

According to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), food products may still be safe to consume past the date printed on the label if they have been stored properly.

To help reduce food waste, FSIS recommends evaluating the quality of food before deciding whether to eat it or throw it away.

The exception is infant formula. Federal law requires a date on all infant formulas for safety purposes, and those dates should always be followed.

Expiration dates may also be found on products such as baby food, yeast, and baking powder.

Common Food Shelf-Life Guide

Pantry and Shelf-Stable Foods

Food Item Approximate Shelf Life
Water, including sparkling and flavored 2 years
Peanut butter 2 years
Dried beans, rice, and pasta 2 years
Ramen, soup, and broth 2 years
Baking soda 1 year
Cereal and breakfast items 1 year
Healthy snacks, including crackers, nuts, and granola bars 1 year
Condiments 1 year
Drinks, not including water 6 months
Potato chips, popcorn, and other snack foods 6 months
Non-perishable canned foods 5 years

Refrigerated and Frozen Foods

Food Item Approximate Shelf Life
Refrigerated dairy, including milk 2 weeks
Frozen dairy products Up to 3 months
Processed refrigerated foods 1 month
Frozen products 1 year
Frozen bread and baked goods 3 months

Types of Dates

Understanding food date labels, such as “Best If Used By,” “Use By,” “Sell By,” and “Freeze By,” can help reduce unnecessary food waste and make grocery shopping less confusing. Most printed dates are intended to reflect food quality and freshness, not food safety. Learning what these labels mean can help consumers make informed decisions about storing, freezing, and using food at home.

Best If Used By/Before

This is a quality assurance date and serves as a suggestion for when the taste and quality of food are expected to be at their peak.​

  • It is not a purchase or safety date.

Use By

This is the suggested date by which food should be used for best quality.

  • It is not a safety date, except when used on infant formula.

Sell By

This date is intended for retailers and helps determine how long a product should remain on store shelves.

  • According to the Institute of Food Technologists, approximately one-third of a product’s shelf life may remain after the sell-by date for consumer use at home.
  • It is not a safety date.

Freeze By

This date indicates when a product should be frozen to maintain peak quality.

  • It is not a purchase or safety date.
Two people looking into a refrigerator with concerned expressions while examining food items including eggs, milk, lettuce, and jars, illustrating uncertainty about food freshness and expiration dates.

How Long Are Foods Good After the Expiration Date?

According to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service:

“With the exception of infant formula, if the date on your food passes during home storage, a product should still be safe and wholesome if handled properly until spoilage is evident.”

Consumers should check foods for signs of spoilage such as off odors, off flavors, or changes in texture.

How Long Does Commercially Canned Food Last?

Commercially canned food can last a long time when stored properly.

According to the USDA:

Quality Tip: Store canned foods in a cool, dry location to help maintain quality.

  • High-acid canned foods, such as tomatoes and citrus fruits, may keep for up to 1.5 years.
  • Low-acid canned foods, including vegetables, meat, and fish, may last up to 5 years.

Quality Tip: Store canned foods in a cool, dry location to help maintain quality.

Close-up of a jar lid with a printed expiration date on the top of the container.

How Long Does Home-Canned Food Last?

According to the USDA, properly canned foods stored in a cool, dry place can retain optimum eating quality for at least one year.

According to the USDA:

  • Foods stored near heat, indirect sunlight, or dampness may lose quality more quickly.
  • Dampness may corrode cans or metal lids and cause leakage that can result in food spoilage.
Home freezer filled with packaged meat and frozen vegetables stored for long-term preservation.

Signs Food May Be Spoiled

Food should not be eaten if spoilage is present, even if it is within the printed date range.

  • Off odors
  • Off flavors
  • Changes in texture
  • Mold growth
  • Swollen or leaking packaging
  • Corroded or damaged cans

Safety Tip: If you are unsure whether food is safe, it is best to throw it away.

Download the Full Expiration Date Guide

Want a printable version of this resource? Download the full UW Extension guide for additional food safety and storage information.

Download PDF guide

Quick Reference Resources

The University of Wyoming is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution.

© 2026