Use By Dates

Many people think the food is bad if past its use-by date. Not necessarily.

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service tells us that use-by dates are set by manufacturers, not the government, and are only estimates of when the food is of best quality.

“…even if the date expires during home storage, a product should be safe, wholesome and of good quality — if handled properly and kept at 40° F or below.” (Food Safety and Inspection Service’s “Food Product Dating” fact sheet of August 9, 2013)

Here is more on actual shelf life:

Southwest Virginia Second Harvest Food Band Membership Handbook, July 2007: