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1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 92 (from laksa159)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa092.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.eatingwell.com/article/80518/do-food-expiration-dates-really-mean-anything/\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.eatingwell.com/article/80518/do-food-expiration-dates-really-mean-anything/\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/article\/80518\/do-food-expiration-dates-really-mean-anything\/","crawl_time":1775953262,"first_indexed_time":1602346105,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,eatingwell!www,\/article\/80518\/do-food-expiration-dates-really-mean-anything\/ s443","src_root_hash":"9493198823493819092","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Do Food Expiration Dates Matter?","meta_descriptions":["Do food expiration dates on cartons really matter? Learn some surprising facts about use-by dates on meat and how long before food really goes bad."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Food expiration dates matter, but they don't mean the food has gone bad or can’t be eaten.\nDepending on the type of food, it can last from days to weeks past a “Sell-by” date.\nStoring food correctly plus inspecting it for spoilage before eating it is the best practice.\nSome people have a fear of snakes. Others are afraid of heights. For me, it's spoiled food. I'm not claiming that this fear of mine is at all rational, but do I really need to be concerned?\nThere comes a time when everyone has to face their fears. And that's going to start with a little digging into expiration dates. Do I\nreally\nneed to throw food away by the date printed on the carton or the use-by date on meat? If not, how long do I have before it really goes bad? And what does \"going bad\" really mean? Is it unsafe?\nHere are five facts about expiration dates that may surprise you:\n1. Expiration Dates Aren't Required by Law\nI assumed that there was a regulatory process involved with expiration dates—hard and fast rules. This is not the case. According to the\nUSDA\n, the federal government does not require expiration dates on food. Although some states do require them, there are dating regulations when it comes to infant formula.\n2. Different Dates Have Different Meanings\n\"Sell-by,\" \"Best if used by\" and \"Use-by\" have similar but slightly different meanings. None of these are meant to be safety dates for food (other than infant formula) but rather describe quality.\nA\n\"Sell-by\" date\nis geared more toward the retailer, indicating to them when they should rotate product off the shelves.\nA\n\"Best if used by\" date\nis an indicator of quality (the food will not be \"bad\" after that date).\n3. How Long Will My Food Last If It Goes past the Expiration Date?\nA\n\"Use-by\" date\nis the last day the manufacturer recommends using the product based on\nquality\n, not safety.\nThat depends on what it is and how it was handled. The USDA recommends using products that display the \"Use-by\" date by that time. For \"Sell-by\" dates that go past at home, you can continue to store the food for a short amount of time, depending on what it is. Some common products are ground meat and poultry (1 to 2 days past the date), beef (3 to 5 days past the date), eggs (3 to 5 weeks past the date).\nIf you're concerned about food safety, use your nose. If you bought raw chicken and you know it's spent 2 days in the refrigerator after the \"Sell-by\" date, smell it. If it's bad, you'll know right away. It's the same for milk. It may be good for several days after the \"Sell-by\" date, but if there's a sour smell, you know it's bad. Otherwise, make sure to keep items in their original packaging to keep track of the dates, or make sure you have a good labeling system so you're cooking chicken or other foods at peak freshness.\n4. Could Food Lose Its Nutritional Value Before It's Expired?\nThat depends on the food. Take orange juice, for example. One cup of orange juice can offer a full day's dose of vitamin C. But after it's been open for a week, it loses the antioxidant benefits from exposure to air and light. (And that could happen even before it reaches its expiration date.)\nSome foods do lose nutrients when exposed to oxygen in the air, and your food may lose a little more nutrition when it's cooked. Aim to eat your fresh fruits and vegetables soon after purchasing them, but don't sweat nutrient losses too much.\n5. Is Food Safe After It Expires?\nExpiration dates refer to quality, not safety. For example, if a refrigerated product was kept below 40°F and was well packaged and handled, it may look and smell a little funny but would not necessarily be considered unsafe. If it was left out at room temperature for hours or contaminated by something else, it may harbor harmful bacteria that could cause foodborne illness, and it would not be safe to eat.\nPerishable foods should never be thawed on the counter for longer than 2 hours because, while the center of the food may remain frozen, the outer surface may enter the Danger Zone, the range of temperatures between 40°F and 140°F, in which bacteria multiply rapidly. For this same reason, you should never eat meat, poultry, eggs or sliced fresh fruits and vegetables that have been left out for more than 2 hours (1 hour in temperatures hotter than 90°F). But this could happen to any food and is not related to expiration dates.\nThe Bottom Line\nWhile some states require expiration dates on food, and there are regulations for infant formula, the federal government doesn’t require expiration dates. If you see a “Sell-by” date on a package, that’s for the retailer, while a “Best if used by” date is an indicator of quality (potentially a loss of nutrients) and not that the food is bad. Food stored properly lasts longer and is safer to eat. The best way to determine if food is going bad is not by the expiration date but by visually inspecting it and smelling it.","attrs_markdown":"\n\n[Skip to content](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/article\/80518\/do-food-expiration-dates-really-mean-anything\/#main)\n\n[EatingWell](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/)\n\n- Please fill out this field.\n- [Newsletters](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/article\/80518\/do-food-expiration-dates-really-mean-anything\/)\n- [Sweepstakes](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/sweepstakes)\n- [Subscribe](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/article\/80518\/do-food-expiration-dates-really-mean-anything\/)\n- [My Saves](https:\/\/www.myrecipes.com\/)\n\nPlease fill out this field.\n\n- [Healthy Recipes](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/recipes\/)\n  Healthy Recipes\n  \n  - [Dinner](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/recipes\/17947\/mealtimes\/dinner\/)\n  - [Quick & Easy](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/recipes\/18258\/cooking-methods-styles\/quick-easy\/)\n  - [Breakfast & Brunch](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/recipes\/17916\/mealtimes\/breakfast-brunch\/)\n  - 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Save your favorites on MyRecipes for free](https:\/\/www.myrecipes.com\/authentication\/login?regSource=4eanmq&isMyrecipes=true&utm_source=eatingwell&utm_medium=sitewidebanner)\n\n# Do Food Expiration Dates Really Mean Anything?\nDo you really need to throw food away by the date printed on the carton? If not, how long do you have before it really goes bad? Here's what I found that may surprise you.\n\nBy\n\n[Hilary Meyer](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/author\/hilary-meyer\/)\n\n![Hilary Meyer]()\n\n![Hilary Meyer](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/thmb\/wnRXRuINoz3daxX9hPpEkSmJPO0=\/200x200\/filters:no_upscale\\(\\):max_bytes\\(150000\\):strip_icc\\(\\)\/hilary-meyer-2bb8da8dcb194ae0bc1345bd38f951cb.jpg)\n\n[Hilary Meyer](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/author\/hilary-meyer\/)\n\nHilary Meyer is a recipe developer, tester, and content creator. After graduating from culinary school, she started working the *EatingWell* Test Kitchen in 2006, developing and testing recipes.\n\n[EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/about-us-6743412#toc-editorial-policies)\n\nUpdated on June 14, 2025\n\nReviewed by Dietitian\n\n[Christa Brown, M.S., RDN, LD](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/christa-brown-8409678)\n\n![Headshot of Christa Brown]()\n\n![Headshot of Christa Brown](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/thmb\/-J797X1OAIqWG1HB5iV4U2Ipnec=\/200x200\/filters:no_upscale\\(\\):max_bytes\\(150000\\):strip_icc\\(\\)\/Christa-Brown-headshot-3f2277f6735f47669e2a7151f049c302.jpg)\n\nReviewed by Dietitian [Christa Brown, M.S., RDN, LD](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/christa-brown-8409678)\n\nChrista Brown is a registered dietitian and business owner with a practice focus on diabetes management and content development for brands and fitness influencers. She is a licensed dietitian with a Master of Science in Nutrition Education and a certification in gut health by the Institute of Integrative Nutrition.\n\n[EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/about-us-6743412)\n\nIn This Article\n\nView All\n\nIn This Article\n\n- [Expiration Date Requirements](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/article\/80518\/do-food-expiration-dates-really-mean-anything\/#toc-1-expiration-dates-arent-required-by-law)\n- [Different Dates and Meanings](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/article\/80518\/do-food-expiration-dates-really-mean-anything\/#toc-2-different-dates-have-different-meanings)\n- [Foods Lasting Beyond Expiration](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/article\/80518\/do-food-expiration-dates-really-mean-anything\/#toc-3-how-long-will-my-food-last-if-it-goes-past-the-expiration-date)\n- [Nutrient Losses Before Expirations](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/article\/80518\/do-food-expiration-dates-really-mean-anything\/#toc-4-could-food-lose-its-nutritional-value-before-its-expired)\n- [Food Safety](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/article\/80518\/do-food-expiration-dates-really-mean-anything\/#toc-5-is-food-safe-after-it-expires)\n\n- Food expiration dates matter, but they don't mean the food has gone bad or can’t be eaten.\n- Depending on the type of food, it can last from days to weeks past a “Sell-by” date.\n- Storing food correctly plus inspecting it for spoilage before eating it is the best practice.\n\nSome people have a fear of snakes. Others are afraid of heights. For me, it's spoiled food. I'm not claiming that this fear of mine is at all rational, but do I really need to be concerned?\n\nThere comes a time when everyone has to face their fears. And that's going to start with a little digging into expiration dates. Do I *really* need to throw food away by the date printed on the carton or the use-by date on meat? If not, how long do I have before it really goes bad? And what does \"going bad\" really mean? Is it unsafe?\n\nHere are five facts about expiration dates that may surprise you:\n\n## 1\\. Expiration Dates Aren't Required by Law\nI assumed that there was a regulatory process involved with expiration dates—hard and fast rules. This is not the case. According to the [USDA](https:\/\/www.fsis.usda.gov\/food-safety\/safe-food-handling-and-preparation\/food-safety-basics\/food-product-dating), the federal government does not require expiration dates on food. Although some states do require them, there are dating regulations when it comes to infant formula.\n\n## Don't Miss\n[This High-Protein Shake Tastes Just Like a Snickers ![Recipe image of Snickers-Inspired Protein Shake]() ![Recipe image of Snickers-Inspired Protein Shake](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/thmb\/UeJcXM1zBwgJN7fNZcvhX1JJJFQ=\/300x200\/filters:no_upscale\\(\\):max_bytes\\(150000\\):strip_icc\\(\\)\/Snickers-inspired-protein-shake-029_preview_maxWidth_4000_maxHeight_4000_ppi_300_quality_100-e6142329cc1c48339b2bbcca7a8eb3bd.jpg)](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/snickers-inspired-protein-shake-11929135)\n\n[Lemon Drop Energy Balls ![Recipe image of No-Added-Sugar Lemon Drop Energy Balls]() ![Recipe image of No-Added-Sugar Lemon Drop Energy Balls](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/thmb\/JpcSK1yuwJUl9T6snIgeaWTM7uY=\/300x200\/filters:no_upscale\\(\\):max_bytes\\(150000\\):strip_icc\\(\\)\/No-Added-Sugar-Lemon-Drop-Energy-Balls-beauty-1_preview_maxWidth_4000_maxHeight_4000_ppi_300_quality_100-3085bb643e8d48358d975864396d2523.jpg)](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/lemon-drop-energy-balls-11840223)\n## 2\\. Different Dates Have Different Meanings\n\"Sell-by,\" \"Best if used by\" and \"Use-by\" have similar but slightly different meanings. None of these are meant to be safety dates for food (other than infant formula) but rather describe quality.\n\nA **\"Sell-by\" date** is geared more toward the retailer, indicating to them when they should rotate product off the shelves.\n\nA **\"Best if used by\" date** is an indicator of quality (the food will not be \"bad\" after that date).\n\n## 3\\. How Long Will My Food Last If It Goes past the Expiration Date?\nA **\"Use-by\" date** is the last day the manufacturer recommends using the product based on *quality*, not safety.\n\nThat depends on what it is and how it was handled. The USDA recommends using products that display the \"Use-by\" date by that time. For \"Sell-by\" dates that go past at home, you can continue to store the food for a short amount of time, depending on what it is. Some common products are ground meat and poultry (1 to 2 days past the date), beef (3 to 5 days past the date), eggs (3 to 5 weeks past the date).\n\nIf you're concerned about food safety, use your nose. If you bought raw chicken and you know it's spent 2 days in the refrigerator after the \"Sell-by\" date, smell it. If it's bad, you'll know right away. It's the same for milk. It may be good for several days after the \"Sell-by\" date, but if there's a sour smell, you know it's bad. Otherwise, make sure to keep items in their original packaging to keep track of the dates, or make sure you have a good labeling system so you're cooking chicken or other foods at peak freshness.\n\n## 4\\. Could Food Lose Its Nutritional Value Before It's Expired?\nThat depends on the food. Take orange juice, for example. One cup of orange juice can offer a full day's dose of vitamin C. But after it's been open for a week, it loses the antioxidant benefits from exposure to air and light. (And that could happen even before it reaches its expiration date.)\n\nSome foods do lose nutrients when exposed to oxygen in the air, and your food may lose a little more nutrition when it's cooked. Aim to eat your fresh fruits and vegetables soon after purchasing them, but don't sweat nutrient losses too much.\n\n## 5\\. Is Food Safe After It Expires?\nExpiration dates refer to quality, not safety. For example, if a refrigerated product was kept below 40°F and was well packaged and handled, it may look and smell a little funny but would not necessarily be considered unsafe. If it was left out at room temperature for hours or contaminated by something else, it may harbor harmful bacteria that could cause foodborne illness, and it would not be safe to eat.\n\nPerishable foods should never be thawed on the counter for longer than 2 hours because, while the center of the food may remain frozen, the outer surface may enter the Danger Zone, the range of temperatures between 40°F and 140°F, in which bacteria multiply rapidly. For this same reason, you should never eat meat, poultry, eggs or sliced fresh fruits and vegetables that have been left out for more than 2 hours (1 hour in temperatures hotter than 90°F). But this could happen to any food and is not related to expiration dates.\n\n## The Bottom Line\nWhile some states require expiration dates on food, and there are regulations for infant formula, the federal government doesn’t require expiration dates. If you see a “Sell-by” date on a package, that’s for the retailer, while a “Best if used by” date is an indicator of quality (potentially a loss of nutrients) and not that the food is bad. Food stored properly lasts longer and is safer to eat. The best way to determine if food is going bad is not by the expiration date but by visually inspecting it and smelling it.\n\nExplore more:\n\n- [Healthy Eating](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/healthy-eating-7187156)\n- [Healthy Cooking How-Tos](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/category\/4309\/healthy-cooking-how-tos\/)\n\nWas this page helpful?\n\nThanks for your feedback\\!\n\nTell us why\\!\n\nOther\n\n## Related Articles\n[![Apple-Cranberry Spinach Salad with Goat Cheese]() ![Apple-Cranberry Spinach Salad with Goat Cheese](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/thmb\/aJoUUaon6q4-TZhJIUlORtmkuyw=\/282x188\/filters:no_upscale\\(\\):max_bytes\\(150000\\):strip_icc\\(\\)\/7104347-5901972191874ea9bd1dcb25ab1a1581.jpg) How to Choose the Perfect Apple for Eating Fresh, Salads, Baking and Applesauce](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/article\/16369\/whats-fresh-the-best-and-worst-apples-for-eating-cooking-baking\/)\n\n[![Frozen watermelon wedges on a designed background]() ![Frozen watermelon wedges on a designed background](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/thmb\/eUpRv6La8iKUVj4-aHmeo2vd8Ok=\/282x188\/filters:no_upscale\\(\\):max_bytes\\(150000\\):strip_icc\\(\\)\/can-you-freeze-watermelon-b28e2d7db76f4065a970c6e2b81a545a.jpg) Can You Freeze Watermelon?](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/article\/7908907\/can-you-freeze-watermelon\/)\n\n[![Various plates containing watermelon slices, cubes, and balls displayed on a blue and white checkered surface]() ![Various plates containing watermelon slices, cubes, and balls displayed on a blue and white checkered surface](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/thmb\/SJN3pRxIOLsdmdi0Q13oGr6SWqY=\/282x188\/filters:no_upscale\\(\\):max_bytes\\(150000\\):strip_icc\\(\\)\/EWL-291794-how-to-cut-watermelon-hero-03-3x2-8276411b12254bfeb4528a9b17052f49.jpg) How to Cut Watermelon](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/article\/291794\/how-to-cut-watermelon\/)\n\n[![6183596\\.jpg]() ![6183596\\.jpg](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/thmb\/orTxvUYIVAiP_-fDqHt9pyESMZk=\/282x188\/filters:no_upscale\\(\\):max_bytes\\(150000\\):strip_icc\\(\\)\/6183596-66169ac8149d44c9ae6f15c743de32fc.jpg) Are Dates Good for You? Here's What a Dietitian Has to Say](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/article\/8014108\/health-benefits-dates\/)\n\n[![a photo of strawberries in a wooden container]() ![a photo of strawberries in a wooden container](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/thmb\/89he22dA8lQthbuXTmIrAjyvyik=\/282x188\/filters:no_upscale\\(\\):max_bytes\\(150000\\):strip_icc\\(\\)\/How-to-Store-Strawberries-77d9bb253a4b4745a8f8494ebffd9045.jpg) How to Store Strawberries](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/article\/8027681\/how-to-store-strawberries\/)\n\n[![a side by side of coconut milk and coconut water]() ![a side by side of coconut milk and coconut water](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/thmb\/F9kJyxQ9Ox6RtLJOOTsMHC8XoHE=\/282x188\/filters:no_upscale\\(\\):max_bytes\\(150000\\):strip_icc\\(\\)\/coconut-milk-vs-coconut-water-whats-the-difference-01-b81b91c245bb4491933237a1a00e44ad.jpg) Coconut Milk vs. Coconut Water: What's the Difference?](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/coconut-milk-vs-coconut-water-11875471)\n\n[![a photo 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mins](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/recipe\/268776\/coconut-fruit-nut-bars\/)\n\n[![A pile of lemons next to a lemon slice on a designed background]() ![A pile of lemons next to a lemon slice on a designed background](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/thmb\/5ZsYjRA9pVYPuxv1HOb1IWqhQSY=\/282x188\/filters:no_upscale\\(\\):max_bytes\\(150000\\):strip_icc\\(\\)\/how-to-store-lemons-58c655f47b644327aa1470c86ebec5d3.jpg) How to Store Lemons So They Stay Fresh](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/article\/7944496\/how-to-store-lemons\/)\n\n[![a cantaloupe with a slice taken out]() ![a cantaloupe with a slice taken out](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/thmb\/HwhxH7LWRG0CMSfP5s8Cv8kyzek=\/282x188\/filters:no_upscale\\(\\):max_bytes\\(150000\\):strip_icc\\(\\)\/cantaloupe-tout-0289cc8b4eb34a76b1f9d310f18251b0.jpg) How to Pick a Cantaloupe](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/article\/7828623\/how-to-pick-a-cantaloupe\/)\n\n[![Calamansi on a designed background]() ![Calamansi on a designed 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Energy Balls 1 hr 40 mins](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/recipe\/278596\/iced-lemon-cookie-energy-balls\/)\n\n[EatingWell](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/)\n\n[Newsletters](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/article\/80518\/do-food-expiration-dates-really-mean-anything\/)\n\nFollow Us\n\n- [Healthy Recipes](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/recipes\/17990\/mealtimes\/snacks\/)\n- [Meal Plans](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/category\/4286\/meal-plans\/)\n- [Healthy Eating](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/healthy-eating-7187156)\n- [Healthy Cooking](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/category\/4309\/healthy-cooking-how-tos\/)\n- [Healthy Lifestyle](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/category\/7886691\/healthy-lifestyle\/)\n- [Special Diets](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/category\/4243\/special-diets\/)\n- [Diabetes](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/category\/4248\/diabetes-diet-center\/)\n- [News](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/category\/4328\/news\/)\n\n- [About Us](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/about-us-6743412)\n- [Nutrition Guidelines](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/our-food-and-nutrition-philosophy-6746110)\n- [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/www.people.inc\/brands-privacy)\n- [Product Reviews](https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/about-us-6743412#toc-product-reviews)\n- [Advertise](https:\/\/www.people.inc\/brands\/food-drink\/eating-well)\n- [Terms of Service](https:\/\/www.people.inc\/brands-termsofservice)\n- [Careers](https:\/\/www.people.inc\/careers)\n- [Contact](https:\/\/www.people.inc\/contact)\n- [Manage Your Magazine Subscription](https:\/\/w1.buysub.com\/pubs\/MR\/ETQ\/Login_No_API.jsp?cds_page_id=103259&cds_mag_code=ETQ&id=1726505237396&lsid=42601147173055098&vid=1)\n- [Magazine Subscription Help](https:\/\/www.magazines.com\/customer-care)\n\nEatingWell is part of the [People Inc.](https:\/\/www.people.inc\/) publishing family.\n\nMyrecipes Dialog\n\nNewsletter Sign Up\n\nNewsletter Sign Up","attrs_readable_markdown":"- Food expiration dates matter, but they don't mean the food has gone bad or can’t be eaten.\n- Depending on the type of food, it can last from days to weeks past a “Sell-by” date.\n- Storing food correctly plus inspecting it for spoilage before eating it is the best practice.\n\nSome people have a fear of snakes. Others are afraid of heights. For me, it's spoiled food. I'm not claiming that this fear of mine is at all rational, but do I really need to be concerned?\n\nThere comes a time when everyone has to face their fears. And that's going to start with a little digging into expiration dates. Do I *really* need to throw food away by the date printed on the carton or the use-by date on meat? If not, how long do I have before it really goes bad? And what does \"going bad\" really mean? Is it unsafe?\n\nHere are five facts about expiration dates that may surprise you:\n\n## 1\\. Expiration Dates Aren't Required by Law\nI assumed that there was a regulatory process involved with expiration dates—hard and fast rules. This is not the case. According to the [USDA](https:\/\/www.fsis.usda.gov\/food-safety\/safe-food-handling-and-preparation\/food-safety-basics\/food-product-dating), the federal government does not require expiration dates on food. Although some states do require them, there are dating regulations when it comes to infant formula.\n\n## 2\\. Different Dates Have Different Meanings\n\"Sell-by,\" \"Best if used by\" and \"Use-by\" have similar but slightly different meanings. None of these are meant to be safety dates for food (other than infant formula) but rather describe quality.\n\nA **\"Sell-by\" date** is geared more toward the retailer, indicating to them when they should rotate product off the shelves.\n\nA **\"Best if used by\" date** is an indicator of quality (the food will not be \"bad\" after that date).\n\n## 3\\. How Long Will My Food Last If It Goes past the Expiration Date?\nA **\"Use-by\" date** is the last day the manufacturer recommends using the product based on *quality*, not safety.\n\nThat depends on what it is and how it was handled. The USDA recommends using products that display the \"Use-by\" date by that time. For \"Sell-by\" dates that go past at home, you can continue to store the food for a short amount of time, depending on what it is. Some common products are ground meat and poultry (1 to 2 days past the date), beef (3 to 5 days past the date), eggs (3 to 5 weeks past the date).\n\nIf you're concerned about food safety, use your nose. If you bought raw chicken and you know it's spent 2 days in the refrigerator after the \"Sell-by\" date, smell it. If it's bad, you'll know right away. It's the same for milk. It may be good for several days after the \"Sell-by\" date, but if there's a sour smell, you know it's bad. Otherwise, make sure to keep items in their original packaging to keep track of the dates, or make sure you have a good labeling system so you're cooking chicken or other foods at peak freshness.\n\n## 4\\. Could Food Lose Its Nutritional Value Before It's Expired?\nThat depends on the food. Take orange juice, for example. One cup of orange juice can offer a full day's dose of vitamin C. But after it's been open for a week, it loses the antioxidant benefits from exposure to air and light. (And that could happen even before it reaches its expiration date.)\n\nSome foods do lose nutrients when exposed to oxygen in the air, and your food may lose a little more nutrition when it's cooked. Aim to eat your fresh fruits and vegetables soon after purchasing them, but don't sweat nutrient losses too much.\n\n## 5\\. Is Food Safe After It Expires?\nExpiration dates refer to quality, not safety. For example, if a refrigerated product was kept below 40°F and was well packaged and handled, it may look and smell a little funny but would not necessarily be considered unsafe. If it was left out at room temperature for hours or contaminated by something else, it may harbor harmful bacteria that could cause foodborne illness, and it would not be safe to eat.\n\nPerishable foods should never be thawed on the counter for longer than 2 hours because, while the center of the food may remain frozen, the outer surface may enter the Danger Zone, the range of temperatures between 40°F and 140°F, in which bacteria multiply rapidly. For this same reason, you should never eat meat, poultry, eggs or sliced fresh fruits and vegetables that have been left out for more than 2 hours (1 hour in temperatures hotter than 90°F). But this could happen to any food and is not related to expiration dates.\n\n## The Bottom Line\nWhile some states require expiration dates on food, and there are regulations for infant formula, the federal government doesn’t require expiration dates. If you see a “Sell-by” date on a package, that’s for the retailer, while a “Best if used by” date is an indicator of quality (potentially a loss of nutrients) and not that the food is bad. Food stored properly lasts longer and is safer to eat. The best way to determine if food is going bad is not by the expiration date but by visually inspecting it and smelling it.","meta_canonical":null}

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Meta Description	Do food expiration dates on cartons really matter? Learn some surprising facts about use-by dates on meat and how long before food really goes bad.
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Boilerpipe Text	Food expiration dates matter, but they don't mean the food has gone bad or can’t be eaten. Depending on the type of food, it can last from days to weeks past a “Sell-by” date. Storing food correctly plus inspecting it for spoilage before eating it is the best practice. Some people have a fear of snakes. Others are afraid of heights. For me, it's spoiled food. I'm not claiming that this fear of mine is at all rational, but do I really need to be concerned? There comes a time when everyone has to face their fears. And that's going to start with a little digging into expiration dates. Do I really need to throw food away by the date printed on the carton or the use-by date on meat? If not, how long do I have before it really goes bad? And what does "going bad" really mean? Is it unsafe? Here are five facts about expiration dates that may surprise you: 1. Expiration Dates Aren't Required by Law I assumed that there was a regulatory process involved with expiration dates—hard and fast rules. This is not the case. According to the USDA , the federal government does not require expiration dates on food. Although some states do require them, there are dating regulations when it comes to infant formula. 2. Different Dates Have Different Meanings "Sell-by," "Best if used by" and "Use-by" have similar but slightly different meanings. None of these are meant to be safety dates for food (other than infant formula) but rather describe quality. A "Sell-by" date is geared more toward the retailer, indicating to them when they should rotate product off the shelves. A "Best if used by" date is an indicator of quality (the food will not be "bad" after that date). 3. How Long Will My Food Last If It Goes past the Expiration Date? A "Use-by" date is the last day the manufacturer recommends using the product based on quality , not safety. That depends on what it is and how it was handled. The USDA recommends using products that display the "Use-by" date by that time. For "Sell-by" dates that go past at home, you can continue to store the food for a short amount of time, depending on what it is. Some common products are ground meat and poultry (1 to 2 days past the date), beef (3 to 5 days past the date), eggs (3 to 5 weeks past the date). If you're concerned about food safety, use your nose. If you bought raw chicken and you know it's spent 2 days in the refrigerator after the "Sell-by" date, smell it. If it's bad, you'll know right away. It's the same for milk. It may be good for several days after the "Sell-by" date, but if there's a sour smell, you know it's bad. Otherwise, make sure to keep items in their original packaging to keep track of the dates, or make sure you have a good labeling system so you're cooking chicken or other foods at peak freshness. 4. Could Food Lose Its Nutritional Value Before It's Expired? That depends on the food. Take orange juice, for example. One cup of orange juice can offer a full day's dose of vitamin C. But after it's been open for a week, it loses the antioxidant benefits from exposure to air and light. (And that could happen even before it reaches its expiration date.) Some foods do lose nutrients when exposed to oxygen in the air, and your food may lose a little more nutrition when it's cooked. Aim to eat your fresh fruits and vegetables soon after purchasing them, but don't sweat nutrient losses too much. 5. Is Food Safe After It Expires? Expiration dates refer to quality, not safety. For example, if a refrigerated product was kept below 40°F and was well packaged and handled, it may look and smell a little funny but would not necessarily be considered unsafe. If it was left out at room temperature for hours or contaminated by something else, it may harbor harmful bacteria that could cause foodborne illness, and it would not be safe to eat. Perishable foods should never be thawed on the counter for longer than 2 hours because, while the center of the food may remain frozen, the outer surface may enter the Danger Zone, the range of temperatures between 40°F and 140°F, in which bacteria multiply rapidly. For this same reason, you should never eat meat, poultry, eggs or sliced fresh fruits and vegetables that have been left out for more than 2 hours (1 hour in temperatures hotter than 90°F). But this could happen to any food and is not related to expiration dates. The Bottom Line While some states require expiration dates on food, and there are regulations for infant formula, the federal government doesn’t require expiration dates. If you see a “Sell-by” date on a package, that’s for the retailer, while a “Best if used by” date is an indicator of quality (potentially a loss of nutrients) and not that the food is bad. Food stored properly lasts longer and is safer to eat. The best way to determine if food is going bad is not by the expiration date but by visually inspecting it and smelling it.
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Save your favorites on MyRecipes for free](https://www.myrecipes.com/authentication/login?regSource=4eanmq&isMyrecipes=true&utm_source=eatingwell&utm_medium=sitewidebanner) # Do Food Expiration Dates Really Mean Anything? Do you really need to throw food away by the date printed on the carton? If not, how long do you have before it really goes bad? Here's what I found that may surprise you. By [Hilary Meyer](https://www.eatingwell.com/author/hilary-meyer/) ![Hilary Meyer]() ![Hilary Meyer](https://www.eatingwell.com/thmb/wnRXRuINoz3daxX9hPpEkSmJPO0=/200x200/filters:no_upscale\(\):max_bytes\(150000\):strip_icc\(\)/hilary-meyer-2bb8da8dcb194ae0bc1345bd38f951cb.jpg) [Hilary Meyer](https://www.eatingwell.com/author/hilary-meyer/) Hilary Meyer is a recipe developer, tester, and content creator. After graduating from culinary school, she started working the EatingWell Test Kitchen in 2006, developing and testing recipes. [EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines](https://www.eatingwell.com/about-us-6743412#toc-editorial-policies) Updated on June 14, 2025 Reviewed by Dietitian [Christa Brown, M.S., RDN, LD](https://www.eatingwell.com/christa-brown-8409678) ![Headshot of Christa Brown]() ![Headshot of Christa Brown](https://www.eatingwell.com/thmb/-J797X1OAIqWG1HB5iV4U2Ipnec=/200x200/filters:no_upscale\(\):max_bytes\(150000\):strip_icc\(\)/Christa-Brown-headshot-3f2277f6735f47669e2a7151f049c302.jpg) Reviewed by Dietitian [Christa Brown, M.S., RDN, LD](https://www.eatingwell.com/christa-brown-8409678) Christa Brown is a registered dietitian and business owner with a practice focus on diabetes management and content development for brands and fitness influencers. She is a licensed dietitian with a Master of Science in Nutrition Education and a certification in gut health by the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. [EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines](https://www.eatingwell.com/about-us-6743412) In This Article View All In This Article - [Expiration Date Requirements](https://www.eatingwell.com/article/80518/do-food-expiration-dates-really-mean-anything/#toc-1-expiration-dates-arent-required-by-law) - [Different Dates and Meanings](https://www.eatingwell.com/article/80518/do-food-expiration-dates-really-mean-anything/#toc-2-different-dates-have-different-meanings) - [Foods Lasting Beyond Expiration](https://www.eatingwell.com/article/80518/do-food-expiration-dates-really-mean-anything/#toc-3-how-long-will-my-food-last-if-it-goes-past-the-expiration-date) - [Nutrient Losses Before Expirations](https://www.eatingwell.com/article/80518/do-food-expiration-dates-really-mean-anything/#toc-4-could-food-lose-its-nutritional-value-before-its-expired) - [Food Safety](https://www.eatingwell.com/article/80518/do-food-expiration-dates-really-mean-anything/#toc-5-is-food-safe-after-it-expires) - Food expiration dates matter, but they don't mean the food has gone bad or can’t be eaten. - Depending on the type of food, it can last from days to weeks past a “Sell-by” date. - Storing food correctly plus inspecting it for spoilage before eating it is the best practice. Some people have a fear of snakes. Others are afraid of heights. For me, it's spoiled food. I'm not claiming that this fear of mine is at all rational, but do I really need to be concerned? There comes a time when everyone has to face their fears. And that's going to start with a little digging into expiration dates. Do I really need to throw food away by the date printed on the carton or the use-by date on meat? If not, how long do I have before it really goes bad? And what does "going bad" really mean? Is it unsafe? Here are five facts about expiration dates that may surprise you: ## 1\. Expiration Dates Aren't Required by Law I assumed that there was a regulatory process involved with expiration dates—hard and fast rules. This is not the case. According to the [USDA](https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/food-product-dating), the federal government does not require expiration dates on food. Although some states do require them, there are dating regulations when it comes to infant formula. ## Don't Miss [This High-Protein Shake Tastes Just Like a Snickers ![Recipe image of Snickers-Inspired Protein Shake]() ![Recipe image of Snickers-Inspired Protein Shake](https://www.eatingwell.com/thmb/UeJcXM1zBwgJN7fNZcvhX1JJJFQ=/300x200/filters:no_upscale\(\):max_bytes\(150000\):strip_icc\(\)/Snickers-inspired-protein-shake-029_preview_maxWidth_4000_maxHeight_4000_ppi_300_quality_100-e6142329cc1c48339b2bbcca7a8eb3bd.jpg)](https://www.eatingwell.com/snickers-inspired-protein-shake-11929135) [Lemon Drop Energy Balls ![Recipe image of No-Added-Sugar Lemon Drop Energy Balls]() ![Recipe image of No-Added-Sugar Lemon Drop Energy Balls](https://www.eatingwell.com/thmb/JpcSK1yuwJUl9T6snIgeaWTM7uY=/300x200/filters:no_upscale\(\):max_bytes\(150000\):strip_icc\(\)/No-Added-Sugar-Lemon-Drop-Energy-Balls-beauty-1_preview_maxWidth_4000_maxHeight_4000_ppi_300_quality_100-3085bb643e8d48358d975864396d2523.jpg)](https://www.eatingwell.com/lemon-drop-energy-balls-11840223) ## 2\. Different Dates Have Different Meanings "Sell-by," "Best if used by" and "Use-by" have similar but slightly different meanings. None of these are meant to be safety dates for food (other than infant formula) but rather describe quality. A "Sell-by" date is geared more toward the retailer, indicating to them when they should rotate product off the shelves. A "Best if used by" date is an indicator of quality (the food will not be "bad" after that date). ## 3\. How Long Will My Food Last If It Goes past the Expiration Date? A "Use-by" date is the last day the manufacturer recommends using the product based on quality, not safety. That depends on what it is and how it was handled. The USDA recommends using products that display the "Use-by" date by that time. For "Sell-by" dates that go past at home, you can continue to store the food for a short amount of time, depending on what it is. Some common products are ground meat and poultry (1 to 2 days past the date), beef (3 to 5 days past the date), eggs (3 to 5 weeks past the date). If you're concerned about food safety, use your nose. If you bought raw chicken and you know it's spent 2 days in the refrigerator after the "Sell-by" date, smell it. If it's bad, you'll know right away. It's the same for milk. It may be good for several days after the "Sell-by" date, but if there's a sour smell, you know it's bad. Otherwise, make sure to keep items in their original packaging to keep track of the dates, or make sure you have a good labeling system so you're cooking chicken or other foods at peak freshness. ## 4\. Could Food Lose Its Nutritional Value Before It's Expired? That depends on the food. Take orange juice, for example. One cup of orange juice can offer a full day's dose of vitamin C. But after it's been open for a week, it loses the antioxidant benefits from exposure to air and light. (And that could happen even before it reaches its expiration date.) Some foods do lose nutrients when exposed to oxygen in the air, and your food may lose a little more nutrition when it's cooked. Aim to eat your fresh fruits and vegetables soon after purchasing them, but don't sweat nutrient losses too much. ## 5\. Is Food Safe After It Expires? Expiration dates refer to quality, not safety. For example, if a refrigerated product was kept below 40°F and was well packaged and handled, it may look and smell a little funny but would not necessarily be considered unsafe. If it was left out at room temperature for hours or contaminated by something else, it may harbor harmful bacteria that could cause foodborne illness, and it would not be safe to eat. Perishable foods should never be thawed on the counter for longer than 2 hours because, while the center of the food may remain frozen, the outer surface may enter the Danger Zone, the range of temperatures between 40°F and 140°F, in which bacteria multiply rapidly. For this same reason, you should never eat meat, poultry, eggs or sliced fresh fruits and vegetables that have been left out for more than 2 hours (1 hour in temperatures hotter than 90°F). But this could happen to any food and is not related to expiration dates. ## The Bottom Line While some states require expiration dates on food, and there are regulations for infant formula, the federal government doesn’t require expiration dates. If you see a “Sell-by” date on a package, that’s for the retailer, while a “Best if used by” date is an indicator of quality (potentially a loss of nutrients) and not that the food is bad. Food stored properly lasts longer and is safer to eat. The best way to determine if food is going bad is not by the expiration date but by visually inspecting it and smelling it. Explore more: - [Healthy Eating](https://www.eatingwell.com/healthy-eating-7187156) - [Healthy Cooking How-Tos](https://www.eatingwell.com/category/4309/healthy-cooking-how-tos/) Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback\! Tell us why\! 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Readable Markdown	- Food expiration dates matter, but they don't mean the food has gone bad or can’t be eaten. - Depending on the type of food, it can last from days to weeks past a “Sell-by” date. - Storing food correctly plus inspecting it for spoilage before eating it is the best practice. Some people have a fear of snakes. Others are afraid of heights. For me, it's spoiled food. I'm not claiming that this fear of mine is at all rational, but do I really need to be concerned? There comes a time when everyone has to face their fears. And that's going to start with a little digging into expiration dates. Do I really need to throw food away by the date printed on the carton or the use-by date on meat? If not, how long do I have before it really goes bad? And what does "going bad" really mean? Is it unsafe? Here are five facts about expiration dates that may surprise you: ## 1\. Expiration Dates Aren't Required by Law I assumed that there was a regulatory process involved with expiration dates—hard and fast rules. This is not the case. According to the [USDA](https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/food-product-dating), the federal government does not require expiration dates on food. Although some states do require them, there are dating regulations when it comes to infant formula. ## 2\. Different Dates Have Different Meanings "Sell-by," "Best if used by" and "Use-by" have similar but slightly different meanings. None of these are meant to be safety dates for food (other than infant formula) but rather describe quality. A "Sell-by" date is geared more toward the retailer, indicating to them when they should rotate product off the shelves. A "Best if used by" date is an indicator of quality (the food will not be "bad" after that date). ## 3\. How Long Will My Food Last If It Goes past the Expiration Date? A "Use-by" date is the last day the manufacturer recommends using the product based on quality, not safety. That depends on what it is and how it was handled. The USDA recommends using products that display the "Use-by" date by that time. For "Sell-by" dates that go past at home, you can continue to store the food for a short amount of time, depending on what it is. Some common products are ground meat and poultry (1 to 2 days past the date), beef (3 to 5 days past the date), eggs (3 to 5 weeks past the date). If you're concerned about food safety, use your nose. If you bought raw chicken and you know it's spent 2 days in the refrigerator after the "Sell-by" date, smell it. If it's bad, you'll know right away. It's the same for milk. It may be good for several days after the "Sell-by" date, but if there's a sour smell, you know it's bad. Otherwise, make sure to keep items in their original packaging to keep track of the dates, or make sure you have a good labeling system so you're cooking chicken or other foods at peak freshness. ## 4\. Could Food Lose Its Nutritional Value Before It's Expired? That depends on the food. Take orange juice, for example. One cup of orange juice can offer a full day's dose of vitamin C. But after it's been open for a week, it loses the antioxidant benefits from exposure to air and light. (And that could happen even before it reaches its expiration date.) Some foods do lose nutrients when exposed to oxygen in the air, and your food may lose a little more nutrition when it's cooked. Aim to eat your fresh fruits and vegetables soon after purchasing them, but don't sweat nutrient losses too much. ## 5\. Is Food Safe After It Expires? Expiration dates refer to quality, not safety. For example, if a refrigerated product was kept below 40°F and was well packaged and handled, it may look and smell a little funny but would not necessarily be considered unsafe. If it was left out at room temperature for hours or contaminated by something else, it may harbor harmful bacteria that could cause foodborne illness, and it would not be safe to eat. Perishable foods should never be thawed on the counter for longer than 2 hours because, while the center of the food may remain frozen, the outer surface may enter the Danger Zone, the range of temperatures between 40°F and 140°F, in which bacteria multiply rapidly. For this same reason, you should never eat meat, poultry, eggs or sliced fresh fruits and vegetables that have been left out for more than 2 hours (1 hour in temperatures hotter than 90°F). But this could happen to any food and is not related to expiration dates. ## The Bottom Line While some states require expiration dates on food, and there are regulations for infant formula, the federal government doesn’t require expiration dates. If you see a “Sell-by” date on a package, that’s for the retailer, while a “Best if used by” date is an indicator of quality (potentially a loss of nutrients) and not that the food is bad. Food stored properly lasts longer and is safer to eat. The best way to determine if food is going bad is not by the expiration date but by visually inspecting it and smelling it.
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