Do you follow those ‘Use By’ and ‘Sell By’ dates they put on food items? Here’s the deal…They aren’t really rules you NEED to follow. Food dating isn’t mandated by federal law except for baby food and formula. Dating is actually up to the manufacturer.
There are three different kinds of ‘Dates’ to know about:
Use By or Best Used By Date: This is a suggestion on when the food should be used to ensure the best quality. It generally is safe to consume food that is past this date, but the quality may suffer.
Sell By Date: This is when the item should stop being displayed for sale. These are usually safe for consumption after this date, but the food may lose flavor and eye appeal.