Expiration Date

Key takeaways
* An expiration date is set by the manufacturer and indicates when a product is expected to be at its best quality. For most food, these dates reflect quality, not safety.
* Infant formula and all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs must carry date labels by federal rules; most other foods are not federally required to be dated.
* “Do not use after” or “expires on” are the only date labels that warn a product may be unsafe or ineffective after that date.
* For medicines, expiration dates indicate the period the manufacturer guarantees safety and potency; using expired drugs is not recommended.
* For food, visual, smell, and taste checks are often more reliable indicators of edibility than date labels.

What an expiration date means

An expiration date is the last day a manufacturer guarantees a consumable product will be at its labeled quality. For food, this typically means optimal taste and texture. For medications, the date indicates the period the manufacturer can guarantee safety and effectiveness based on stability testing.

How expiration dates work

Common date-label terms:
* Best if used by/before: Quality may decline after this date.
* Sell by: Guidance for retailers to remove items from shelves; not a safety cutoff.
* Use by: The last date the product is at peak quality (except infant formula, where it is also a safety date).
* Freeze by: Last day to freeze a product to preserve quality.
* Expires on / Do not use after: Indicates potential loss of safety or effectiveness after the date.

Only infant formula is federally required to carry open dating among foods. For meat, poultry, and egg products, labels must be truthful and, if using calendar dates, include month and day (and year for shelf-stable or frozen items) with an explanatory phrase such as “best if used by.”

Food expiration dates: what to know

Background
Date stamping became common in the 1970s to reassure consumers about packaged food quality. States and manufacturers have varying practices, so date labels can be inconsistent and are primarily quality indicators.

Open vs. closed dating
* Open dating: A calendar date visible to consumers that indicates the last day of guaranteed quality.
* Closed dating: Internal codes used by manufacturers for tracking production; not meaningful to consumers.

How manufacturers set quality dates
Producers consider storage and transport time and temperatures, food characteristics, and packaging to determine a quality date.

Practical food-safety tips
* Use sight, smell, and taste checks before discarding food that has passed a “best by,” “use by,” or “sell by” date.
* Canned goods, dry pasta, and rice often remain safe well past labeled dates if unopened and undamaged.
* Freeze perishable items to extend quality; frozen foods do not support bacterial growth but may lose flavor over long storage.
* Rely on proper storage practices (refrigeration, freezing, sealed packaging) to maximize shelf life.

Medication expiration dates

Legal requirement and meaning
All prescription and most OTC medicines must carry expiration dates. These dates indicate how long the manufacturer guarantees potency, safety, and stability. After the printed date, the manufacturer does not accept liability for the drug’s effectiveness.

Safety considerations
* Chemical changes over time can reduce potency or, rarely, make a medication unsafe.
* Even small amounts of certain expired drugs can be hazardous to children or pets—dispose of them promptly after expiration.
* Store medicines as recommended (cool, dry place unless refrigeration is required) to preserve effectiveness up to the expiration date.

FDA extensions and shortages
In some cases, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may extend a drug’s expiration date during shortages, based on reviewed stability data.

Disposal of expired medicines
* Check package instructions or local drug take-back programs.
* If no take-back is available, federal guidance suggests mixing pills with an undesirable substance (coffee grounds, kitty litter), sealing them in a bag, and throwing them in the trash; some medicines have specific flush recommendations—follow labeling or FDA guidance.

Patent expiration (drug exclusivity)

“Expiration date” also refers to patent or exclusivity expiration for brand-name drugs. Patents typically last about 20 years from filing; regulatory exclusivity periods can vary (for example, orphan drug exclusivity may last several years). When patents/exclusivity end, generic competitors may seek approval to market equivalent products.

Common questions

Is it okay to use medicines after their expiration dates?
No. The FDA does not guarantee safety or effectiveness after the expiration date. Avoid using expired medications and follow recommended storage and disposal practices.

How long can you eat food past its expiration date?
It depends on the food:
* Canned goods and many shelf-stable items can remain safe for years if unopened and undamaged.
* Packaged dry goods (cereal, pasta) may become stale but are often safe beyond the date.
* Perishables (meat, dairy, eggs) require proper storage; freezing preserves safety but may affect quality.
When in doubt, inspect, smell, and, if appropriate, taste a small amount rather than relying solely on the date.

Can unopened expired food still be eaten?
Often yes—unopened, well-stored foods frequently remain safe for a time after their labeled date. Use sensory checks for spoilage before consuming.

Conclusion

Expiration dates serve different purposes: for most foods they indicate quality, while for medications they indicate guaranteed safety and effectiveness. Understand the type of date label, store products properly, and use common-sense checks (look, smell, taste) to avoid unnecessary waste while protecting health. Dispose of expired medicines responsibly and follow official guidance when in doubt.