In the US, properly stored packaged foods can safely be eaten after their best-by dates.

Is it true that in the US, properly stored packaged foods can safely be eaten after their best-by dates?

Unclear. Two food-policy sources partially support the idea that best-before dates are minimum-quality dates rather than safety cutoffs, but neither directly states that properly stored packaged foods remain safe to eat after those dates.

Verdict: PARTIAL LEAN · 3 sources for, 0 against · Last checked 3 Oct 2026

The private library was unavailable for some searches in this check. Missing library results are not evidence against the claim.

Committee, A. S. (2023). Report of the Scientific Committee of the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN) on the establishment of shelf-life of certain ready-to-eat foods sliced or cut and packaged before sale in retail establishments. zenodo.org. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8385305

K, K., A, A., A, A., D, B., S, B., M, C., R, D., A, D. C., L, H., M, N., L, P., G, R., M, S., P, S., E, S., L, J., T, S., MT, D. S. F., M, H., & W, M. (2020). Guidance on date marking and related food information: part 1 (date marking).. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2020.6306

Helen, O., Sarah, P., & Paulius, A. (2024). Ensuring Safe Transitions: Guidelines for Community Food Provisions and Food Donors Supporting Community Food Sector. zenodo.org. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.12744734