Have you ever thrown away food the moment you noticed the date on the package had passed? You’re not alone! Every year, millions of pounds of perfectly good food are wasted because people misunderstand food date labels.
The truth is that many foods remain safe to eat after their “best by” or “best before” dates if they’ve been stored correctly. However, foods with a true “use by” date should not be eaten after that date, especially if they are highly perishable.
Here’s a guide to foods that often stay good beyond the printed date—and those you should never take chances with.
Understanding Food Date Labels
Not all expiration dates mean the same thing.
Best By / Best Before
These dates usually indicate quality, not safety. The food may still be safe to eat if it has been stored properly.
Use By
This is the last recommended date for peak safety or quality on certain foods. For highly perishable foods, it’s best to follow this date.
Always check for signs of spoilage before eating any food.
20 Foods That May Still Be Good After the Date
1. Hard Cheese
Hard cheeses like cheddar, Parmesan, and Swiss often last beyond the printed date.
If a small spot of mold appears, you can generally cut off at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) around and below the mold, provided it’s a hard cheese. Soft cheeses with mold should be discarded unless they are intentionally mold-ripened (such as blue cheese or Brie).
2. Yogurt
Unopened yogurt may still be good for a short time after the “best by” date if refrigerated and it smells and looks normal.
3. Eggs
Eggs often remain usable for several weeks when kept refrigerated.
A simple freshness test is to place an egg in a bowl of water:
- Sinks = Usually fresh
- Stands upright = Older but may still be usable
- Floats = Discard
4. Butter
Butter usually keeps well beyond its printed date when refrigerated.
5. Bread
Bread may still be edible after its date if there is no mold.
If mold appears, discard the entire loaf.
6. Dry Pasta
Stored in a cool, dry place, unopened dry pasta can last well beyond its “best by” date.
7. Rice
White rice keeps for a long time when stored properly in an airtight container.
8. Oats
Dry oats remain good for months after their best-by date if kept dry.
9. Peanut Butter
Unopened peanut butter has a long shelf life.
Natural peanut butter may separate but is usually safe after stirring if it shows no signs of spoilage.
10. Honey
Honey is one of the few foods that can last for years.
If it crystallizes, place the jar in warm water until it becomes smooth again.
11. Canned Vegetables
If the can is not bulging, leaking, rusted, or deeply dented, the contents may remain safe well beyond the printed date.
12. Canned Beans
Properly stored canned beans often stay good for a long time.
13. Canned Soup
Inspect the can carefully before opening.
Discard any damaged cans.
14. Frozen Vegetables
As long as they remain continuously frozen, they’re generally safe beyond the date, although quality may gradually decline.
15. Frozen Fruit
Frozen fruit can also remain safe if it has stayed frozen.
16. Crackers
Crackers may lose crispness but are often still safe if they haven’t developed an off smell or signs of pests.
17. Breakfast Cereal
Properly stored cereal often remains good after the date.
18. Chocolate
Chocolate may develop a white coating called fat bloom or sugar bloom, which affects appearance but is usually harmless.
19. Vinegar
Vinegar has a very long shelf life due to its acidity.
20. Dried Beans
Kept dry and sealed, dried beans can last for years, though they may take longer to cook as they age.
Foods You Should Never Risk
Some foods spoil quickly and should be discarded if they’re past the recommended use-by date or show signs of spoilage:
- Raw poultry
- Raw meat
- Raw seafood
- Deli meats left too long
- Unpasteurized dairy
- Foods with mold (except certain hard cheeses and intentionally mold-ripened cheeses)
- Bulging or leaking canned foods
When in doubt, throw it out.
Always Check for Signs of Spoilage
Never rely only on the printed date.
Look for:
- Mold
- Sour or unpleasant odor
- Slimy texture
- Swollen packaging
- Unusual color
- Gas buildup
If anything seems off, don’t eat it.
Store Food Properly
To help food stay fresh longer:
- Keep your refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below.
- Freeze foods you won’t use soon.
- Store dry foods in airtight containers.
- Keep pantry items in a cool, dry place.
- Label leftovers with the date you prepared them.
The Bottom Line
The date printed on many food packages is often about quality, not safety. Many shelf-stable and refrigerated foods can remain perfectly usable beyond their “best by” date if they’ve been stored properly and show no signs of spoilage. However, highly perishable foods and anything with obvious signs of spoilage should never be eaten.
When deciding whether food is still good, trust proper storage, the type of date label, and the food’s appearance, smell, and texture—not just the calendar.
What’s one food you’ve discovered lasts much longer than you expected? Share your experience in the comments! 🥫🧀🍯
