Understanding Expiration Dates: A Smarter Approach to Food Waste

I recently discovered the “NoWaste” app after my partner and I transitioned away from college student meals, such as TV dinners and ramen noodles, and started opting for more fresh produce. However, by the time our busy schedules allow us to make recipes with these perishables, they often expire. The “NoWaste” app, along with many other Android and iOS-friendly food inventory apps, enables users to track expiration dates on pantry and fridge items through reminders, helping you save money and reduce food waste. While many (including myself) use these apps for personal or self-improvement reasons, such as lowering grocery costs, it's necessary to look at the larger scale of things, too. According to a 2025 survey done by the nonprofit organization ReFED, consumer confusion over date labels is estimated to cause Americans to waste approximately 3 billion pounds of food annually, valued at roughly $7 billion per year. 

A little background about me: while I work for a food safety consulting company, my most solid connection within the food industry is my passion for mitigating food waste, specifically through composting (my love for composting is zealous, and I’ll save that for another blog), and the privilege of access to higher education. As a recent college graduate, I am beyond grateful to have a position in a field of study that is less familiar to me, as it fuels my eagerness to learn and provides me with vital information that my education did not cover. For example, I recently learned that expiration dates do not necessarily indicate whether a food product is safe to consume. The Food Safety and Inspection Services state that these dates are generally intended to reflect quality rather than safety, and food may still be safe to eat if there are no visible signs of spoilage and has been appropriately handled. Food inventory tracking innovations, such as the NoWaste app, are valuable tools, especially for preventing perishables from going to waste. But if you do miss an expiration date, it’s essential to understand what that means, which I’ll explore throughout the rest of this blog.

How do companies come up with expiration labels?

Food manufacturers use shelf-life testing to assess how long a product remains safe and of high quality under typical storage conditions. While ‘Use-By’ and ‘Best if Used By’ dates are often seen on labels, they generally indicate quality and not safety. The only product required by federal law to include a date related to nutrient content and safety is infant formula. Companies also rely on internal quality standards, which are usually conservative, and may adjust labels based on consumer expectations or retailer requirements.

On September 28, 2024, California became the first state to pass a law (AB660) standardizing date labels on food products, allowing only “Best if Used By” for quality and “Use By” for safety. The goal is to reduce consumer confusion and prevent them from mistakenly discarding food that is still safe to eat due to inconsistent and misleading date labels. Effective July 1, 2026, California’s law prohibits the use of terms like “sell-by” and requires consistent date language for products that choose to include labels. While labeling remains voluntary in most cases, milk is an exception, and products will be required to carry a quality-based date.

What about food banks and donations?

Food banks and donation sites are commonly used as a means of diverting food from ending up in landfills while also assisting those experiencing food insecurity. Due to these labels, complications arise. For instance, some states prohibit the donation of food after the labeled date, such as Connecticut, Michigan, and Montana, which forbid the distribution of dairy and meat products at food banks past expiration. On the contrary, the Federal Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act protects donors and nonprofit organizations from liability when donating food in good faith, even if it’s past the quality date. 

So, how exactly can you figure out if a food item is safe to eat?

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying “when in doubt, throw it out,” meaning that if you are on the fence about whether or not a food item is safe to eat, the best option would be to throw it out. However, this adage hinders consumers from inspecting their food, leading more individuals to discard perfectly safe-to-eat foods. Some indicators that tell you that food is not safe to eat include swollen packages, growth of mold, unpleasant or sour odors, texture changes, and leakage of packaging. If you eat food that is past its expiration date, please be attentive to these types of changes as part of your decision-making process.

While this blog focuses on empowering consumers to become more informed about the food they eat, it’s essential to recognize that food waste reduction is not solely a consumer responsibility. It’s part of a broader movement involving the entire food system. Many companies are actively working with food banks, nonprofits, and food recovery organizations to donate surplus food and prevent safe, edible items from being sent to landfills. These collective efforts, combined with mindful consumer habits, are key to building a more sustainable and equitable food future.

If you have any further questions about food waste and would like to learn more about its impact on the population and the planet, consider visiting ReFED or the Food Waste Reduction Alliance.