Understanding Expiration Labels
Before we look at specific foods, it helps to understand what you’re actually reading. “Best by,” “use by,” and “sell by” are all stamped on food packaging, but they’re not all created equal.
Sell By: This one’s for the store, not you. It tells retailers when to pull the item from their shelves. Often, the food inside is still totally safe.
Best By/Before: This signals peak quality—not safety. It’s a recommendation about taste and texture rather than edibility.
Use By: This one’s a bit more serious, implying when a product should be consumed for health reasons—but even this date isn’t gospel for everything.
Short version: most expiration dates are about quality, not safety. That means there are plenty of foods that stay good some time after expiration date fhthgoodfood—if you store them right and use your brain (and nose).
Pantry Items That Go the Distance
1. Canned Goods
Canned foods can outlast nuclear winters—maybe not literally, but the shelf life is impressive. A properly stored can of beans, corn, or tomatoes can be fine five years after the printed date. The key? No dents, no rust, and no puffiness. When in doubt, crack it open and trust your senses.
2. Dried Pasta and Rice
These dry goods are practically indestructible. As long as they’re sealed tight in a dry place, they can last years beyond their “best by” dates. Bugs and moisture are your only real enemies here.
3. Honey
Honey never spoils. Ever. Archeologists have found perfectly edible honey in ancient Egyptian tombs. That’s real staying power. It might crystallize over time, but pop the jar in warm water and it’s good as new.
4. Salt and Sugar
These are natural preservatives. As long as they don’t get wet and are stored airtight, they can outlive almost anything in your kitchen. They might clump, but that’s no big deal.
5. Peanut Butter
Unopened peanut butter can be fine a year past the printed date. Even opened containers are safe for months, though the oils may separate or the flavor may fade. Stir it and keep going.
Fridge and Freezer Champions
6. Hard Cheese
Mold on cheddar or parmesan? Scrape it off. The rest is still solid, thanks to low moisture and aging. Preshredded cheese is the exception—it’s more sensitive and can spoil faster.
7. Eggs
Most eggs are good for weeks past the expiration date. Do the float test—put the egg in a bowl of water. If it sinks, it’s good. If it floats, toss it.
8. Yogurt
A sealed container of yogurt often stays safe a week or more beyond its date. If it smells fine and there’s no mold, it’s usually good to go.
9. Frozen Foods
Freezing halts bacteria. That lasagna from six months ago? Still safe. Quality might drop, but you’re not risking food poisoning. Just avoid freezer burn—wrap stuff well.
Snacks and Beverages with Staying Power
10. Chocolate
Dark chocolate especially can last months past its date. A little white coating (called bloom) doesn’t mean it’s bad—it means the fat or sugar has risen to the surface. Not harmful, just less pretty.
11. Chips, Crackers, and Cookies
Texture might suffer over time, but unless they smell rancid or are soggy, they’re generally fine. A quick toast in the oven can bring them back to life.
12. Soda and Bottled Drinks
Most of these have preservatives built in. Flat soda might not taste great, but it won’t hurt you. Same goes for bottled iced tea and shelfstable juices—if they’re sealed, they’re probably safe beyond the date.
Safety Tips Before You Eat
Check for mold: Always a dealbreaker. Taste test: A tiny bite won’t hurt if the food smells and looks OK. Watch for bloated packaging: It usually means gas from bacterial activity. Toss it. Follow your senses: Your nose and eyes are more reliable than a printed date.
Trust Yourself, Not Just a Stamp
The idea that dates equal danger is deeply ingrained, but largely inaccurate. Food manufacturers use those labels to manage inventory and reduce complaints about taste or texture—not to warn of health hazards.
Being conservative with food dates creates massive food waste. In the U.S. alone, over 30% of all food gets tossed—and a big chunk of that was perfectly edible. Learning which products are still safe is good for your wallet and the planet.
There’s no shame in checking. If something smells funky or feels off, pitch it. But don’t let an arbitrary date be the only reason. Dig a little deeper, and you’ll discover a whole world of foods that stay good some time after expiration date fhthgoodfood just waiting to be enjoyed.
Bottom Line
Most of the dates stamped on your food aren’t expiration dates—they’re estimates of peak flavor. There’s a difference between something going bad and just not being freshly packaged. Keep an eye on storage conditions, trust your instincts, and stop tossing perfectly good items just because of a date on the label. Remember, you’re smarter than mold.