Best By, Use By, Sell By: What These Dates Really Mean

4/5 Previous Next

© Getty Images

Use By

"Use By" is often seen on shelf-stable and frozen products. Like "best by," this date has little bearing on the safety of the food. The use-by date indicates that prior to that date, the product is at "peak quality," and starts to decline after that. It's still possible to eat these foods, but as the date passes, they will become less enjoyable, and later, inedible. "Use by" can also be used interchangeably with "best by."