Food Date Labels
The Issue with Food Date Labels
Many people rely on food date labels to decide whether food is still safe to eat. However, in Tennessee, these labels do not indicate food safety—except for infant formula—and most foods remain safe past the printed date. It's even legal to donate! Learn more about food donation. Confusion over date labels is a major driver of food waste at home, contributing to an estimated 31,100 tons of uneaten food in Tennessee households in 2024.
Explore the resources below to learn more about food date labels.
Commonly Used Date-Labeling Phrases
Indicates when a product will be at its best flavor or quality. It is not a purchase or safety date.
A date that tells the store how long to display the product for sale for inventory management. It is not a safety date.
Date that is recommended for the use of the product while at peak quality. It is not a safety date.
*Infant Formula is the only product that is Federally Required to have a "Use-By" date label. Several states have passed laws creating “use by” dates for other foods, such as shellfish. Tennessee is one of the few states that does not have any state-level “use by” labeling requirements for foods
A date that indicates when a product should be frozen to maintain peak quality. It is not a purchase or safety date.
Tips for Consuming Past the Date Label
In an effort to reduce food waste, it is important to know that food products can still be safe to consume past the date on the label if they are stored and handled properly.
- Use your senses to evaluate foods past their prime. Spoiled food will look different in texture and color, smell unpleasant, and taste bad. Nonperishable items like grains, dried goods, and canned foods can be used well past their label dates.
- Meat, dairy, and eggs have shorter shelf lives and are less safe to use after label dates. For example, milk is often good a week past its due date; however, if you notice a sour smell or curdling, dispose of it
Donating Past the Date Label
In Tennessee, food items past their printed date label are still legal to donate. Donors are protected as long as all the other requirements are met.
Have a Resource to Share?
If you have a resource or funding opportunity you'd like to see on this webpage, send it to kristen.privette@tn.gov.
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