How long is food safe to eat after the expiration date?

But hold on a second. Did you know that food may still be safe to eat after the expiration date? These dates can be confusing, and many people misunderstand what they really mean. As a result, perfectly good food often gets wasted.

When you spot an expiration date on food packaging, it’s easy to panic and toss it in the bin once the date has passed.

So, what do these dates mean? “Best Before,” “Sell By,” and “Use By” are common terms that can make it seem like the food magically turns unsafe overnight. But the truth is, these labels are more about quality than safety.