Are food expiration dates required by law?

Except for infant formula, no. Federal law does not require date labels on most foods, and selling food past its date is not prohibited. Manufacturers apply dates voluntarily, and they generally indicate quality, not safety.

Does 'best by' mean the food is unsafe afterward?

No. 'Best if Used By' indicates peak quality, not safety. Properly stored food is often still safe after this date, though flavor or texture may decline. Evaluate the food's quality rather than relying on the date alone.

What's the difference between 'use by' and 'sell by'?

'Use by' is the last date for peak quality (a safety date only on infant formula). 'Sell by' is a stocking instruction telling the store how long to display the product — it isn't meant for consumers.

Which food has a required date?

Infant formula. Under FDA rules (21 CFR 107.20(c)) it must carry a 'Use by' date, and unlike other foods that date is about safety and nutrient content — infant formula shouldn't be used after it.

Why do date labels cause food waste?

Because many people read quality dates as safety deadlines and discard wholesome food. The USDA estimates about 30% of the food supply is wasted at retail and consumer levels, and date-label confusion is a notable contributor — one reason 'Best if Used By' is the recommended phrase.

Label basics

Food date labels: 'best by,' 'use by,' 'sell by'

Most people think food date labels are a federal safety rule. With one exception, they're not — they're voluntary, inconsistent, and mostly about quality, not safety. Here is what each phrase really means.

Updated June 19, 2026 · 3 min read · Sourced from FDA guidance

The surprise: dates usually aren't required

Except for infant formula, federal law does not require a date on food, and a date passing does not make a food illegal to sell. Neither the FDA nor the USDA has authority to mandate a national dating system for most foods, so date labels are applied voluntarily, at the manufacturer's discretion.

And with that same exception, these dates indicate quality, not safety. A food past its date is often still perfectly safe if it has been stored properly — though its flavor or texture may have started to slip. Judge the quality rather than treating the date as a hard safety cutoff.

What each phrase means

Common date-label phrases — none are federally standardized, except infant formula's 'Use by.'
Phrase	What it actually means
Best if Used By / Before	Peak flavor or quality by this date — not a safety or purchase date
Use By	Last date for peak quality; a safety date only on infant formula
Sell By	Tells the store how long to display the product; not meant for shoppers
Freeze By	When to freeze for peak quality; not a safety or purchase date

Because there's no federal standard, manufacturers also use phrases like 'Enjoy By' or 'Expires On.' They must be truthful and not misleading, but they carry no fixed legal definitions.

The one real exception: infant formula

Infant formula is the only product with a federally required date. Under FDA rules (21 CFR 107.20(c)) it must carry a 'Use by' date, and here the date does matter: until then, the formula contains the labeled amount of nutrients and is of acceptable quality. Do not use infant formula after its 'Use by' date.

'Best if Used By': the recommended phrase

To cut confusion, both the USDA FSIS (2016) and the FDA (2019) recommend a single voluntary phrase — 'Best if Used By' — because research found it's the wording consumers most clearly read as a quality indicator. It's a recommendation, not a requirement, so a mix of phrases still appears on shelves.

Note

Why it matters: the USDA estimates about 30% of the U.S. food supply is lost or wasted at the retail and consumer levels, and confusion over date labels — tossing safe food because a quality date passed — is a meaningful contributor.

What's changing

Date labeling is being revisited. The FDA and USDA jointly sought public comment on standardizing date labels, and some states have moved to regulate them. For now, though, the national picture is the voluntary one above — read the date as quality, treat infant formula's 'Use by' as safety, and trust your senses on the rest.

Frequently asked questions

Are food expiration dates required by law?: Except for infant formula, no. Federal law does not require date labels on most foods, and selling food past its date is not prohibited. Manufacturers apply dates voluntarily, and they generally indicate quality, not safety.
Does 'best by' mean the food is unsafe afterward?: No. 'Best if Used By' indicates peak quality, not safety. Properly stored food is often still safe after this date, though flavor or texture may decline. Evaluate the food's quality rather than relying on the date alone.
What's the difference between 'use by' and 'sell by'?: 'Use by' is the last date for peak quality (a safety date only on infant formula). 'Sell by' is a stocking instruction telling the store how long to display the product — it isn't meant for consumers.
Which food has a required date?: Infant formula. Under FDA rules (21 CFR 107.20(c)) it must carry a 'Use by' date, and unlike other foods that date is about safety and nutrient content — infant formula shouldn't be used after it.
Why do date labels cause food waste?: Because many people read quality dates as safety deadlines and discard wholesome food. The USDA estimates about 30% of the food supply is wasted at retail and consumer levels, and date-label confusion is a notable contributor — one reason 'Best if Used By' is the recommended phrase.

Sources

Related tools & guides

This guide is general educational information, not legal advice, and labeling rules can change. Your obligations depend on your specific products, claims, sales, and state. Verify your situation against the current FDA guidance and eCFR linked above, or consult a qualified food-labeling professional, before printing a label.