"Sell by," "use by," "best before" and How Food Labels Impact Our Health and Well-being
- Amy Fisher, BA, MSW
- Sep 11
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 12
How to interpret food expiration dates, minimize food waste, and enhance food security, enabling informed decisions for a healthier and more sustainable food system.
Managing household finances and ensuring access to nutritious food can be challenging. Understanding food expiration dates empowers you to make informed decisions, reduce unnecessary waste, and stretch your grocery budget further.
Takeaways
Food expiration dates are often confusing and misunderstood.
Understanding the different labels can reduce food waste and save money.
Food waste contributes to environmental problems and exacerbates food insecurity.
Trust your senses to determine if food is still safe to eat.
Support initiatives that promote food waste reduction and food security.
Food packaging labels can feel like a secret language. "Sell by," "use by," "best before" – what does it all really mean? And how do these dates impact not only our wallets but also our health and well-being?
As a social worker, I'm deeply interested in the social determinants of health – the factors that influence our access to nutritious food and our ability to make informed choices. Understanding food expiration dates is a crucial part of this equation. It’s not just about avoiding food poisoning; it's about reducing food waste, promoting food security, and fostering a healthier relationship with the food we consume.
The Confusion is Real (and Costly!)
I'm constantly getting questions about food expiration dates – from friends, neighbors, and even strangers in the grocery store, holding a carton of milk with a worried look. It's no wonder people are confused! The labels are often vague and inconsistent, leading to unnecessary food waste and financial strain.
Let's break down what these dates really mean and how to make smart choices:
"Sell By": This date is primarily for stores to manage shelf rotation. The food is often safe to consume well beyond this date, provided it has been stored properly.
"Best Before" and "Best If Used By": These labels indicate the food's peak quality in terms of taste, texture, and appearance. It doesn't mean the food is unsafe to eat after this date.
"Use By" and "Expiration": These labels, especially on perishable items, suggest that the manufacturer cannot guarantee safety after the printed date. Exercise caution and use your senses.
"Guaranteed Fresh": This is typically found on bakery goods and refers to freshness, not safety.
"Pack Date": This is the date the item was packaged, not when it should be eaten. It can be helpful for estimating freshness, particularly for eggs and canned goods.
Example: I remember working with a family struggling with food insecurity. They were incredibly careful with their resources, but they often threw away food simply because it was past the "sell by" date, even though it looked and smelled perfectly fine. I helped them understand the different date labels and how to use their senses to determine if food was still safe to eat, which significantly reduced their food waste and stretched their limited budget.
The average family of four wastes more than $1,800 annually in uneaten food, often due to misunderstood date labels.
The Impact on Food Security and Health
Misunderstanding food expiration dates contributes to a larger problem: food waste. In the United States, a significant portion of edible food ends up in landfills, contributing to environmental problems and exacerbating food insecurity.
Food Waste and the Environment: Food waste generates greenhouse gas emissions and contributes to climate change.
Food Insecurity: When edible food is thrown away, it reduces the availability of nutritious food for those who need it most.
Financial Strain: Wasting food is like throwing money in the trash, adding to the financial burden of low-income families.
Nutritional Deficiencies: When people are forced to rely on less nutritious food due to budget constraints, it can lead to nutritional deficiencies and health problems.
Example: I volunteered at a local food bank and was shocked to see the amount of perfectly good food that was being discarded simply because it was nearing its expiration date. We collaborated with the food bank to develop guidelines for assessing food safety and rescuing edible food from waste.
According to the United Nations, roughly one-third of the food produced globally is lost or wasted each year.
Empowering Informed Choices and Reducing Waste
What can we do to reduce food waste and make more informed choices about food expiration dates?
Educate Yourself: Learn the difference between "sell by," "use by," and "best before" dates.
Trust Your Senses: Use your sight, smell, and taste to determine if food is still safe to eat.
Store Food Properly: Keep your refrigerator below 40 degrees Fahrenheit and use airtight containers.
Practice "First In, First Out": Rotate your pantry goods so that older items are used first.
Freeze Food: Freeze meat, cheese, and bread near their "sell by" date to extend their shelf life.
Support Food Waste Reduction Initiatives: Advocate for policies and programs that reduce food waste at the local and national level.
Challenge the System: Support efforts to standardize food labeling practices and reduce consumer confusion.
A Social Work Perspective: Equity and Access
From a social work perspective, addressing food waste and promoting informed food choices is about promoting equity and access. Everyone deserves the opportunity to have nutritious food and make informed decisions about their health. By reducing food waste and empowering people to understand food expiration dates, we can create a more just and sustainable food system.
Final Thoughts
Understanding food expiration dates is more than just avoiding food poisoning; it's about promoting food security, reducing food waste, and fostering a healthier relationship with the food we consume. By educating ourselves, trusting our senses, and advocating for change, we can create a food system that is more equitable, sustainable, and nourishing for all.
About Amy Fisher, BA, MSW
As a Social Healthcare Behavioralist, I blend behavioral science with social support to drive lasting health improvements. My approach bridges clinical care with community resources, fostering holistic well-being that resonates. With expertise in behavioral health, I develop personalized interventions that empower individuals to achieve their health goals. By merging science with compassion, I unlock healthy habits and empower lasting change.
