Understanding Sell-By Dates: How Accurate Are They?

Questions and answers

1. What does a sell-by date mean?

   A sell-by date is a guideline for retailers, indicating the date by which a product should be sold for optimal quality, not necessarily safety.

2. Can you eat food past the sell-by date?

   Yes, many products are safe to consume days to weeks past their sell-by dates if properly stored, but always check for spoilage.

3. How can I tell if food is spoiled?

   Look for signs such as bad odor, undesirable texture, discoloration, or packaging damage to determine if food has spoiled.

4. Are sell-by dates the same as expiration dates?

   No, sell-by dates are guidelines for retailers, while expiration dates indicate when a product should not be consumed.