best-by date

It's the middle of the night, and you find yourself in front of the fridge. As you reach for the wedge of cheese or box of treats that lured you out of bed in the first place, you realize there's a tiny date stamped on the label. It's a "use-by" date. No, wait, it's a "sell-by" date. Or is that a "best-by" date? To add to the confusion, the date may not really matter all that much.

What's the Difference Between 'Sell By,' 'Use By,' and 'Best By' Dates? Lauren Breedlove 2024