What You Really Need to Know About Food Expiration Dates (Stop Wasting Food!)
Samir ShahThat “expiration” date on your milk carton, yogurt cup, or chicken package?
It’s not a safety deadline.
In fact, most expiration dates in the U.S. have nothing to do with whether food is safe to eat—they’re about quality, not spoilage. Yet millions of Americans toss perfectly good food every year because they misunderstand these labels.
Let’s clear up the confusion—and help you save money, reduce waste, and eat with confidence.
The Truth About Expiration Dates (According to the USDA)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) agree:
“Except for infant formula, product dating is not required by federal law.”
That means those dates? They’re voluntary guidelines set by manufacturers—not government-mandated safety rules.
Decoding the Labels: What They Actually Mean: