Millions of Americans routinely discard perfectly edible food, mistakenly believing it has spoiled simply because a date on the packaging has passed. Experts confirm that much of this waste stems from a widespread misunderstanding of food labeling.
The confusion is compounded by a lack of federal standardization for food date labels, with the notable exception of baby formula. This regulatory gap leaves consumers grappling with a bewildering array of terms such as "Best Before," "Best By," "Best If Used By," "Enjoy By," and "Sell By." Crucially, these dates primarily indicate peak freshness or quality, rather than signaling when a product becomes unsafe for consumption.
