Expiration dates on packaged food can be confusing. Your nose should clue you in to obvious spoilage.
- "Best before" and "use by" dates relate to peak flavor or quality, not to food safety.
- "Sell by" dates help the store determine how long to display a product. The product is still good to eat for a period after this date.
- Leftovers may be good in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
Additional Resources
Learn more about food product dating and storing leftovers. (US Department of Agriculture)
Keep It or Toss It? (Still Tasty) - Searchable guide to shelf life and FAQs
Food storage chart for cupboard, refrigerator, freezer (University of Nebraska-Lincoln)
Shelf life guide (FoodWise) - Printable guide on shelf life of common foods
Kitchen Companion: Your Safe Food Handbook (USDA)
FAQs and live chat on food safety, storage, and handling (USDA)
The Dating Game: How Confusing Labels Land Billions of Pounds of Food in the Trash (National Resources Defense Council)
Next tip: Make soup stock. Love food? Shop your fridge.
