Interpreting Food Label Expiration Dates

There are a lot of misinterpretations out there regarding FDA labels and expiration dates, but we’re finally going to clear the air. You see, manufacturers inform customers of the product’s best-by date or sell-by date, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that the manufacturer is telling a consumer to throw an item out if that day surpasses. And since food waste is such a major issue (approximately 30 to 40 percent of all food in the U.S. is wasted, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture) we feel it’s important that brands and consumers know the truth about interpreting food label expiration dates.

How to Interpret Food Labels

FDA labels and food label expiration dates are meant to guide people, to help them make wise food choices. However, food expiration dates are not necessarily mandatory rules that consumers must abide by. For instance, how many times have you noticed a carton of milk go bad before the labelled expiration date? Food label expiration dates are merely suggestions and are not always completely accurate. Sometimes food may go bad before the labelled date, and other times food will be fine well past the expiration date. Expiration dates refer more so to the quality of the food item, rather than the actual expiration of the item.

Sell-By Dates

Let’s first talk about sell-by dates. Sell-by dates are mostly used as a way for manufacturers to communicate product quality with their retailers. You see, sell-by dates help manufacturers to manage their inventory, and they act as a reminder as to when stores should sell items for best quality.

Best-By Dates

On the other hand, best-by dates are directed at the consumer. Best-by dates recommend that the buyer consumes an item before the best-by date, but it doesn’t mean that the item will go bad before or after that date. Since there are no current federal laws related to food expiration dates, manufacturers can use whatever date they choose to. And as a result? More and more consumers are wasting food for fear that they’ll get sick if they consume a food item after the sell-by date, best-by date, or use-by date.

Reducing Food Waste

To reduce food waste in America, a new bill could be passed that would change food expiration labels for the better. The bill could save money in America and help to feed needy families as well. If passed, The Food Recovery Act could require that manufacturers include a note next to expiration dates that says: Manufacturer’s suggestion only.

Practice Your Own Judgement

Since there are no current expiration laws that manufacturers, retailers, or consumers must follow, it’s important that brands and consumers all use their own better judgement when it comes to labeling expiration dates. Brands already need to be careful about labeling FDA labels, and they should practice the same precautions with expiration dates; however, it’s helpful to remember that most food illnesses involve improper food handling or bacteria growth during food processing, and not because food was consumed after a labelled use-by date. So, while manufacturers and retailers can suggest an expiration date to their consumers, it’s better for everyone if the consumer practices using their own judgement by looking over and smelling a food item before consuming it or choosing to throw it away. Chances are, it will be just fine after the expiration date.

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