If you’ve ever tossed out a carton of milk or a container of yogurt solely because the date on the packaging had passed, you’re not alone.
Many people throw away food simply because of the date printed on the label. But often it is still perfectly edible, according to experts.
With no federal regulations requiring standardized labels for dates on food except for baby formula, it’s no surprise that deciphering terms like “Best Before,” “Best By,” “Best If Used By,” “Enjoy By,” and “Sell By” can be mind-boggling.
What most people don’t realize is that those labels are more about how fresh something is — not how safe the food is to eat.
California is trying to bring some clarity with a new law that requires food manufacturers to use just two labels: one for quality and another for safety.
