If a product lists multiple dates, which should you follow for safety and freshness?

If a product lists multiple dates, which should you follow for safety and freshness?

• A. Use by
• B. Best by
• C. Sell by
• D. Packed on

Answer: (A)

Understanding date labels helps you decide when food is safe to eat and at its best. The Use by date is the one that tells you the last day it’s safe to consume the product. After that date, the risk of spoilage or foodborne illness increases, even if the item looks and smells fine, so you should discard it. Best by dates are about quality, not safety—food may still be safe after this date but may not taste or feel as good. Sell by dates are for stores to manage inventory and aren’t indicators of safety for home use. Packed on is the production date, telling when it was made, not when it becomes unsafe. So, when multiple dates appear, follow the use by date to guide safety and freshness.

Understanding date labels helps you decide when food is safe to eat and at its best. The Use by date is the one that tells you the last day it’s safe to consume the product. After that date, the risk of spoilage or foodborne illness increases, even if the item looks and smells fine, so you should discard it.

Best by dates are about quality, not safety—food may still be safe after this date but may not taste or feel as good. Sell by dates are for stores to manage inventory and aren’t indicators of safety for home use. Packed on is the production date, telling when it was made, not when it becomes unsafe.

So, when multiple dates appear, follow the use by date to guide safety and freshness.