Sell by, best by, and use by dates are commonly found on food packaging, but their meanings can be somewhat confusing to consumers. These labels are intended to communicate information about the freshness and safety of food items, but misunderstanding them can lead to unnecessary food waste. Here are five key things every consumer should know:

1.”Sell by” Dates: This label is aimed more at retailers than consumers and indicates until when a product should be displayed for sale. It is not a safety date but rather a guideline for stock rotation, ensuring that the freshest products are available on the shelf. After the sell-by date, the product might lose its optimum freshness, but it can still be safe and edible if stored properly.

2.”Best by” Dates: Unlike “sell by” dates, “best by” labels are for consumers. They suggest when the product is likely to be at peak quality and flavor. A product consumed after its best by date might not taste as good as it would before the date has passed but doesn’t necessarily mean it’s unsafe to eat.

3.”Use by” Dates: This is the most critical date for consumers as it indicates the last day that a product is expected to be at its peak quality, and it’s also a rough estimate of when an item starts to decline in terms of safety and/or quality. For perishable products, especially dairy or meats, adhering to the “use by” date is more important because these items can become unsafe to consume after this point.

4.Storage Matters: How you store your food can impact its shelf life significantly. For example, meat stored in a freezer can last well beyond its “use by” or “best by” dates as freezing halts bacterial growth that causes spoilage and illness. On the other hand, perishables left out at room temperature may spoil much more quickly than indicated.

5.Trust Your Senses: While dates can provide useful guidelines for determining freshness, they aren’t foolproof; always trust your senses too. If a product smells off or has visible mold or an unusual texture even before its “sell by,” “best by,” or “use by” dates, it is best to err on the side of caution and not consume it.

Understanding these dates on food packages can help consumers make better decisions about purchasing and consuming food, thus ensuring safety while also minimizing waste. Remember that while these dates are good indicators of quality and safety, using common sense should always be your first line of defense against consuming spoiled foods.