Understanding the
Dates on Food Labels
Educational programs of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or national origin.
The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating
Today, we will learn

The types of dates found on food labels

How to use dates on food labels to buy
and keep foods safe and fresh

When it is safe to keep foods past the
date stamped on a label
Dates on Food Labels
Are Important

When a food was packaged

How long a food will be fresh

If a food will be fresh when you buy it

Know when food should be thrown away

Saves money

Can keep you from serving unsafe food to
your family
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Are all foods required
to have dates on the package?

Infant formulas are required by law to be
dated.

Other foods are optional
If you purchase a food and it doesn’t
have a date on the package, label
the package with the date that the
food was purchased.
How are dates displayed?

Open date – uses a calendar date



Must include month and day of the month
Year must be included for frozen and shelf-stable
products
Must have a phrase in front of the date to explain the
meaning (e.g. “sell by” or “use by”)
Date
Date
How are dates displayed?

Closed date – uses a code
Seen on cans or boxes of food
Often related to pack dates
 Manufacturers have their own codes
 Hard for consumers to decipher


2
A bar code is not the same
as a closed date.

Bar code


Also called UPC (Universal Product Code)
Used for inventory and other information
 Manufacturer’s
name
 Product
name
 Size of product
 Price
Bar Code
Know Your Dates

“Sell-by” or pull date

“Best if used by (or before)” date

“Use-by” date

“Expiration” date
“Sell-by” or Pull Date

The last date a food should be sold

Determined by manufacturer

Foods are often taken off the shelves
before the date has passed

Foods nearing the sell-by
may be discounted
date
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“Sell-by” or Pull Date

Most foods with a “sell-by” date are
safe to eat after the date has passed as long as they have been handled and
stored properly.

EXCEPTION: Produce that
has been washed and
bagged.

Buy foods before the
“sell by” date has passed.
“Best if used by (before)” date

Foods with this date should be eaten
before the date has passed to get the
best quality and/or flavor.

Most foods can be safely
eaten after this date as long
as they have been handled
and stored safely.

EXCEPTION: Produce that has been
washed and bagged.
“Use-by” date

The last date a food should be eaten if you
want the best quality

Date is determined by the food company

Most foods with a use-by date are safe to
eat after the date has passed if the food has
been handled and stored safely.

EXCEPTION: Produce that has been
washed and bagged.
4
Washed & Bagged Produce

Bagged produce with a “use-by,” “bestby,” “best if used by,” “purchase by,”
or “sell-by” date should be thrown out
after that date has passed.

Buy only the amount of bagged produce
that you can eat before the date on the
package.
Expiration date

The last day a food should be eaten.

Once this date has passed, the food is not
considered safe to eat.

Most foods should be thrown away after
the expiration date has passed.

EXCEPTION: Eggs
USDA Shield on Egg Cartons
USDA shield refers to grade (quality).
Egg producers who have a USDA shield
on their egg cartons have a USDA
inspector on site.
 If no USDA shield, they are inspected by
Texas Department of Agriculture.


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Eggs & Expiration Dates


The date stamped on the carton “guarantees”
the grade (quality) of the egg up to that date.
If the eggs have been handled and stored
safely, they can be used up to 30 days after
the date stamped on the carton.
These eggs can be safely
used until February 22nd
(30 days after Jan 23rd)
Use the dates on food
labels to help you buy
food that is fresh and safe.
Produce Department
Check the dates on produce that has been
washed and bagged. Buy only the amount
that you can eat before the date stamped
on the label.
6
Bakery

Check the “sell-by” date. Make sure the
food can be used either before or shortly
after the date has passed.

Do not buy any baked good if you see
mold.

Make sure packages are not torn.
Deli Section

Look at the sell-by and use-by dates.

Make sure cold items are cold and the
packages are intact.

Hot foods (e.g., rotisserie chicken) should
be hot.

Avoid cheese made with unpasteurized
milk.
Meat Department

Check sell-by and use-by dates when
buying meat, poultry, or fish.

Use discounted meat right away.

Keep raw meat, fish, and poultry away
from other foods.

Make sure the packages are cold and
intact.
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Dairy and Eggs





Check sell-by, best by, & expiration dates.
Look for eggs with the USDA shield.
Check eggs for cracks before buying.
Don’t buy eggs that are cracked or dirty.
Don’t switch out cracked/dirty eggs.
Pack date – The
date the eggs are
packed in the
carton. 202nd
day of the year
is July 21st.
Canned Goods

Check “best if used by” or “use by” dates.

Avoid dented, rusty, cracked, or bulging cans.

Dusty lids or torn labels may be a sign the
products have been on shelves for while.
Have Some Fun
Let’s Play the Dating Game!
8
Date on the box is
05 18 14.
Is this safe to eat
after August of 2014?
Date
Sell-by date is August 31st, 2012.
Is it safe to eat after September 15, 2012?
Sell-by
date
“Better if used
by” date is
September 7,
2012
Is it safe to
use after
December 3rd,
2012?
9
Fresh Chicken
Sell-by
date
Sell-by date is
July 20, 2012.
You buy it on
July 19, 2012,
and put it in the
refrigerator.
Is it safe to eat
7 days later?
This can has a “best by”
date of June 24, 2012.
Is it safe to eat
on January 1, 2013?
Remember….

Using the dates on food labels can help you
get the safest and freshest food.

When in doubt, throw it out!
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THANKS!
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