Stop Tossing Good Food: What ‘Best By’ Dates Really Mean

How many times have you opened your pantry, seen that a can of soup or crackers passed the “Best By” date, and tossed it without a second thought?

You’re not alone—and you’re probably throwing away perfectly good food.

In today’s world of confusing food labels like “Best By,” “Use By,” and “Sell By,” millions of people are discarding food that’s still safe to eat. This misunderstanding contributes to billions of pounds of food waste every year—and it’s completely preventable.

Let’s decode what these labels actually mean, especially when it comes to canned and shelf-stable foods.

What Does “Best By” Actually Mean?

Contrary to popular belief, a “Best By” or “Best Before” date is not an expiration date. It’s simply the manufacturer’s suggestion for when the food is at its peak quality—in terms of flavor, texture, and freshness.

✅ FACT: With the exception of baby formula, these labels are not federally regulated in the U.S.
✅ So: That can of beans that’s “past its date”? It might still be perfectly safe and tasty.

Label Lingo: What Each Date Actually Means

Understanding label terminology is key:

• Best By / Best Before – Indicates the date of optimal taste and texture, not safety.

• Use By – Often used for perishable items like meat or dairy. Slightly more relevant to safety, but still not always an expiration.

• Sell By – A guide for stores, not for consumers. It tells retailers when to remove items from shelves.

💡 Bottom line: These aren’t expiration dates. Most foods, especially canned and dry goods, remain safe well beyond the printed date—if stored properly.

How to Tell if Canned Food Is Still Safe to Eat

Don’t toss that can just because the date has passed. Use your senses and visual inspection:

✅ What to Look For:

• No bulging lids or bottoms

• No deep dents near the seams

• No rust, leaks, or sticky residue

• Label intact and not discolored

🚫 Red Flags:

• Can is swollen or leaking

• Food smells sour, rotten, or metallic

• Contents appear discolored, moldy, or have an unusual texture

Still unsure?

Take a small taste test. If the taste is off, don’t eat it.

So… How Long Do Canned Goods Really Last?

When stored in a cool, dark pantry, most canned goods stay safe for 1–5 years past their ‘Best By’ date, sometimes longer.

⚠️ Note: Foods high in acid (like tomatoes or citrus) break down faster than low-acid foods (like beans and meats).

The Global Cost of Food Waste

According to the USDA, up to 30–40% of the U.S. food supply is wasted—a significant portion due to date-label confusion.

This contributes to:

• Higher grocery bills

• Environmental waste (landfill overuse, methane emissions)

• Hunger issues, when perfectly edible food is thrown out

By learning to read labels the right way, you help reduce waste and save money.

Tips to Waste Less & Eat Smart

• Rotate stock: Use the oldest items first (“First In, First Out” rule)

• Buy what you’ll use: Avoid overbuying perishables

• Freeze items nearing the date (milk, bread, cheese)

• Donate unopened non-perishables to food banks before they expire

Final Thoughts: Don’t Fear the Date

The next time you see a “Best By” date, don’t automatically throw the item out. Take a moment to inspect it, smell it, maybe even taste it.

More often than not, it’s still perfectly fine—and by choosing not to waste it, you’re helping your wallet and the planet.

Let’s stop tossing good food for the wrong reasons.