Updated 2 August 2026 · Written by Daniel Wright
Many foods are safe to eat past their printed date, because best-by and sell-by dates are about quality, not safety. Use-by dates on highly perishable foods like meat and dairy are more safety-critical and should be respected. For most other foods, judge by smell, look and texture, and when in doubt, throw it out.
Best-by and sell-by = quality, often fine past. Use-by on perishables = safety, respect it. Judge by smell and look.
What the Dates Mean
- Best-by / best-before: a quality guide; food is often fine past it if stored well.
- Sell-by: for stores, not a safety cutoff; food usually lasts beyond it.
- Use-by: the most safety-focused, used on perishables like meat and dairy, and worth respecting.
- When unsure, use your senses and err on the side of caution.
How to Judge Older Food
For non-perishables like canned goods, pasta and dried foods, past-date is usually just a quality question. For perishables, check for off smells, discoloration, mold or slime. Storing food well extends its life; for example, see how long eggs last and how long cooked chicken lasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to eat food after the best-by date?
Often yes. Best-by dates indicate peak quality, not safety, so many foods are fine afterward if stored properly. Check for spoilage first.
What is the difference between use-by and best-by?
Use-by is a safety date for perishable foods and should be respected. Best-by is a quality guide, and food is often still good past it.
