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Best-by date decoder
Pick the label on your package. We explain what it means for safety and decode Julian pack-date codes.
The meaning appears here.
The four common labels
- Best if used by — when quality is best. Not a safety date.
- Use by — the last recommended day for peak quality; for infant formula, a federally required safety date.
- Sell by — for the store's stock rotation. Count your home storage time from purchase.
- Freeze by — freeze before this day to keep quality.
Source: USDA FSIS, "Food Product Dating".
FAQ
Is it safe to eat food after the best-by date?
Usually, yes, if it has been stored properly. Best-by is a quality date. Check smell, look and taste.
Which date labels are required by law?
In the US, only infant formula must carry a use-by date under federal rules. Other dates are set by manufacturers.
What is a Julian date code?
A pack date written as the day of the year (001–365), often with a year digit, such as 3215 = day 215 of a year ending in 3.
What does sell-by mean?
It tells the store how long to display the product. You can store it at home for the normal fridge time after that date.
More tools: Leftover calculator · Freezer time calculator · Thaw time calculator · Left-out checker
Numbers on this page come from USDA FoodKeeper and FSIS guidance. Last verified November 2026. How we verify our data · Report a wrong number