Date labels
Best-By vs Use-By Dates on Pantry Food
What “best if used by,” “use by,” and “sell by” mean on shelf-stable food, why they are about quality, and how to factor dates into a stock-up.
The short answer
On shelf-stable pantry food in the United States, date labels are mostly about quality, not safety. According to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, “Best if Used By/Before” tells you when a product will be at its best flavor or quality; it is not a purchase-by or safety date. Federal rules require a date only on infant formula.
What each phrase means
- Best if used by / best before — the maker’s estimate of peak quality. After it, flavor or texture may decline.
- Use by — the last date recommended for peak quality. USDA notes it is not a safety date except on infant formula.
- Sell by — tells the store how long to display the product. It is not aimed at you.
- Packed on / coded dates — some cans carry a pack code rather than a plain date; the maker can decode it.
When a product is not okay
Dates do not override your senses or the condition of the package. Discard cans that bulge, leak, spurt when opened, or have deep dents on a seam; jars with loose or bulging lids; and any food with mold, an off smell, or pests. Shelf-stable products should be stored cool and dry — a hot garage changes the timeline.
Why dates matter when you buy online
You cannot read the date before you buy a case pack online, and a large multipack can arrive with a shorter window than you expect. That does not usually make it unsafe, but it changes how many you can use while they taste their best. Two habits help:
- Check the dates when the box arrives and put the shortest-dated units at the front.
- Size stock-ups to your use rate. If you open two jars a month and the case is dated six months out, twelve is your useful ceiling.
The stock-up calculator uses months until best-by as a conservative limit. If you are comfortable using an item past its quality date, extend the months.
Date labels and food waste
Confusion over date labels leads people to throw away food that is still fine to eat. Understanding that “best by” is a quality cue is one of the simplest ways to waste less — and to make a stock-up pay off.
Quick answers
Is it safe to eat pantry food after the best-by date?
Best-by dates indicate quality, not safety, for most shelf-stable foods, per USDA FSIS. Food should be wholesome past the date if stored properly and the package is intact; discard anything spoiled or damaged.
What does “sell by” mean?
It tells the store how long to display a product. It is not a safety date for you.
Sources and method
Prices in this guide are illustrative arithmetic, not live offers or product tests.
Spotted an error? Send a correction.