Eating Well As You Get Older

Frequently Asked Questions

47. What do expiration dates on food tell me?

Pay attention to "sell-by" and "use-by" dates on packages and cartons. The "sell-by" date tells the store how long to offer a product for sale. Don't buy an item after the "sell-by" date. The "use-by" date is the last date that the manufacturer of the product suggests is best for consuming the food. If an item has a "use-by" date, throw it out after the date has passed.