Food Labels – Food Expiration Dates Explained
Updated: July 6, 2026
California recently became the first state to standardize consumer-facing food date labels, replacing confusing terms like “Sell By” with clearer language. While the changes currently apply only in California, they highlight an important question for everyone: what do food date labels actually tell us?
Top Takeaways:
- Most foods in the U.S. are not legally required to have expiration dates. Infant formula is the major exception.
- “Best if Used By” and “Sell by” dates indicate quality, not safety, for most foods.
- In California, “Use by” dates indicate safety.
- Food safety depends on storage conditions and signs of spoilage, not just the printed date.
- Use reliable food safety resources, such as USDA’s FoodKeeper app.
Do all foods and ingredients expire?
Most foods eventually become unusable, although the reasons vary. Some lose quality over time, while others become unsafe because microorganisms grow or chemical changes occur.
Understanding what food labels actually mean can help you avoid unnecessary food waste while still protecting yourself from foodborne illness.
Are expiration dates legally required?
No. Neither the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) nor the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) requires foods to display expiration dates.
The exception is infant formula, which must include a federally regulated “Use By” date or “expiration” date because nutrient content and safety are critical for infants.
Manufacturers may voluntarily include dates to communicate product quality or freshness, but historically there has been little consistency in the wording used on packages.
Manufacturers often voluntarily include production dates, optimal consumption dates, and/or spoilage information. That information is legally required to be factual.
However, companies may use different terms and take different approaches to share this information based on the products they produce.
While this can be confusing, there are industry efforts to streamline and standardize the language used to describe food optimal use dates.
Are expiration dates legally required?
You may see different terms and date types on the packaging. Below are common practices and their meanings according to the USDA and FDA.
Best if Used By/Before:
This is not an expiration date. It indicates when the product is expected to be at its best in terms of flavor, texture, or overall quality. Many foods remain safe to eat after this date if they have been stored properly.
Expiration (EXP):
This is a true expiration date and is most commonly found on infant formula and certain baby foods. Products should not be consumed after this date.
Freeze By:
This is not an expiration date. It indicates when a food should be frozen to preserve its best quality. Freezing the product by this date can help maintain its flavor and texture.
Guaranteed Fresh:
This is not an expiration date. It indicates when the manufacturer expects the product to be at its peak quality or freshness.
Pack Date:
This is the date a food was packaged, not an expiration date. It is most commonly found on canned and boxed foods and is often printed as a code rather than a standard calendar date. Pack dates are primarily used by manufacturers and retailers for production tracking and inventory management and should not be used to determine whether a food is safe to eat.
Sell By:
This is not an expiration date. It was originally intended to help retailers manage inventory and rotate products on store shelves. Food is often still safe to consume after the “Sell By” date if it has been stored properly.
Use By:
The meaning of a “Use By” date depends on where the food is sold.
For most foods sold outside of California, a “Use By” date generally indicates when the product is expected to be at its best quality. It’s not typically an expiration date.
For foods sold in California, a “Use By” date is reserved for products where the date relates to food safety. These foods should not be consumed after the “Use By” date.
Infant formula is the exception nationwide. Regardless of where it is sold, the “Use By” date on infant formula is a true expiration date because it ensures the formula will provide the required nutrients. Infant formula should never be used after this date
What’s changed with California and “sell by” dates? Will food still be safe?
The goal of California’s new food date labeling law is to make food labels easier to understand, not to change how long food stays safe.
As of July 1, 2026, consumer-facing “Sell By” dates have been eliminated and replaced with standardized terms that clearly distinguish between quality (“Best if Used By”) and safety (“Use By”) dates.
Foods are not becoming less safe under the new law; instead, the goal is to reduce confusion, help consumers make informed decisions, and prevent millions of pounds of perfectly good food from being unnecessarily thrown away.
Do canned foods expire?
Yes. However, commercially canned foods do not necessarily become unsafe immediately after their recommended storage time, but they can lose quality over time. Flavor, texture, color, and nutritional value may gradually decline, even if the food remains safe to eat.
As a general guideline:
- High-acid canned foods (such as tomatoes, fruit, and tomato-based products) are best used within 12–18 months.
- Low-acid canned foods (such as vegetables, meats, poultry, and soups) are generally best used within 2–5 years.
Regardless of the date on the can, never consume canned food if the container shows signs of damage, including:
- Bulging
- Leaking
- Rust that compromises the can
- Deep dents, especially along seams
- Any damage that could break the airtight seal
These types of damage can allow microorganisms, including Clostridium botulinum, to grow and produce toxins that can cause serious foodborne illness.
Not sure if a food is still safe? The USDA’s free FoodKeeper app provides recommended storage times for hundreds of foods based on storage conditions. It’s available online and for Apple and Android devices.
Do dry ingredients expire?
Yes. Products like flour, beans, rice, pasta, baking mixes, and spices all have finite shelf lives.
Examples include:
- All-purpose flour: about 1 year
- Dry pasta: about 2 years
- Sugar: does not spoil easily but is generally best used within about 2 years for optimal quality.
Storage conditions, including temperature, moisture, humidity, and exposure to light, can significantly affect how long dry foods remain safe and maintain their quality. Storing them in a cool, dry, dark place can help maximize their shelf life.
Again, if you’re ot sure if a food is still safe, the USDA’s free FoodKeeper app provides recommended storage times for hundreds of foods based on storage conditions. It’s available online and for Apple and Android devices.
Are eggs, dairy products, and meats required to have printed expiration dates?
In most cases, no. Federal law does not require most meat, poultry, dairy products, or shell eggs to display expiration or quality dates, although some states have their own labeling requirements.
Many manufacturers and producers voluntarily include date labels to help retailers manage inventory and to inform consumers about product quality. When these labels appear on products regulated by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), they must be truthful, easy to understand, and comply with FSIS labeling requirements.
Do frozen foods expire?
Not exactly. Frozen foods generally remain safe indefinitely if kept continuously frozen.
However, over time, they may develop freezer burn, changes in texture, or loss of flavor that reduce eating quality.
How can you tell if food has gone bad without an expiration date?
Date labels are only one part of determining whether a food is still safe to eat. It’s important to look for signs that the food has spoiled.
Common signs of spoilage include:
- Unpleasant or sour odors
- Mold growth
- Changes in color
- Slimy or sticky textures
- Changes in consistency
- Swollen or leaking packaging
- Off flavors
Food can spoil for several reasons. Microorganisms such as bacteria, molds, and yeasts can grow in food, causing it to spoil or, in some cases, become unsafe to eat. Certain bacteria, such as Listeria monocytogenes and Clostridium botulinum, can cause serious foodborne illness.
Chemical changes can also occur over time. For example, oxidation can cause fats to become rancid and fruits or vegetables, such as apples and potatoes, to brown. While some of these changes primarily affect quality, others may indicate that the food is no longer safe to consume.
If you’re unsure whether a food or ingredient is still safe, check the USDA’s free FoodKeeper app for recommended storage times based on how the food has been stored.
When in doubt, it’s always safest to throw it out rather than risk foodborne illness.
How can I easily keep track of food safe storage times?
The USDA’s free FoodKeeper app provides recommended storage times for hundreds of foods based on how they are stored.
Pairing the app with a simple labeling system can help reduce food waste and ensure food is used while it’s still at its best.
You’ll need:
- The USDA’s FoodKeeper app
- Masking tape
- A permanent marker
To label your food:
- Look up the food or ingredient in the FoodKeeper app.
- Select the storage method (such as the pantry, refrigerator, or freezer) and note the recommended storage time.
- Place a piece of masking tape on the food or container.
- Using the purchase date, packaging date, or “Best if Used By/Before” date as a reference, calculate when the food should be used.
- Write the recommended use date on the tape, store the food properly, and use older items before newer ones.
The good news.
Understanding food date labels can help you waste less food without compromising food safety. Most date labels are intended to indicate quality, not when a food suddenly becomes unsafe to eat, and California’s new standardized labels are designed to make that distinction even clearer. By storing foods properly, recognizing the signs of spoilage, and using tools like the USDA’s FoodKeeper app, you can make informed decisions that save money, reduce food waste, and keep your family safe.
If you have any questions about ingredients or ideas for a blog post, please send us an email or submit your idea to us at go.msu.edu/cris-idea.
Citations and further reading.
Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs (ASPA). “FoodKeeper App.” FoodSafety.Gov, FoodSafety.gov, 26 Apr. 2019, https://www.foodsafety.gov/keep-food-safe/foodkeeper-app. Accessed 6 July 2026.
“CDFA – Inspection Services – Food Recovery – Food Date Labeling.” Www.Cdfa.Ca.Gov, https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/foodrecovery/fooddatelabeling/. Accessed 6 July 2026.
FDA. “Safe Food Handling.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 5 Mar. 2024, https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/safe-food-handling. Accessed 6 July 2026.
FDA. (2019, May 23). Food Waste[Letter]. https://www.fda.gov/media/125114/download
Human Foods Program. “Infant Formula.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2026, https://www.fda.gov/food/resources-you-food/infant-formula-homepage. Accessed 6 July 2026.
USDA. “Food Product Dating | Food Safety and Inspection Service.” Www.Fsis.Usda.Gov, 2 Oct. 2019, https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/food-product-dating. Accessed 6 July 2026.
“Food Product Dating | Food Safety and Inspection Service.” USDA.Gov, 2025, https://www.fsis.usda.gov/guidelines/2019-0022. Accessed 6 July 2026.