Can you eat it?

You open the refrigerator, pull out the carton of yogurt, and notice the date on the lid was yesterday.

Do you toss it? Or can you still eat it?

If you've ever stood in your kitchen debating whether a food is still good, you're not alone. Date labels are one of the biggest sources of confusion for consumers. Many people assume every date on a package is an expiration date, but in most cases, that's simply not true.

The good news? Once you know what those labels actually mean, you'll feel more confident deciding what belongs on your plate and what belongs in the trash.

"Best If Used By" Doesn't Mean "Throw It Away"

The phrase "Best If Used By" (or "Best Before") is all about quality.

Manufacturers use this date to tell you when a product is likely to have its best flavor, texture, and freshness. Think of it as the food's "peak performance" date, not its expiration date.

A box of crackers might lose a little crunch. Cereal may not be quite as crisp. Frozen vegetables could slowly lose some flavor over time. But if they've been stored properly, they're often still perfectly good to eat after that date.

What About a "Use By" Date?

A "Use By" date is the manufacturer's recommendation for when a product is at its best quality, with one important exception: infant formula.

Federal regulations require infant formula to carry a true "Use By" date because the nutrients must meet specific standards through that day. Formula should not be used after the date printed on the package, but for nearly every other food, a "Use By" date is about quality rather than safety.

Why Is There a Date at All?

Sometimes you'll see an open date, which helps grocery stores know how long to display a product for sale. It's intended for inventory management, not to tell consumers when food suddenly becomes unsafe.

You may also notice a "Packaged On," "Manufactured On," or "Prepared On" date. These labels simply tell you when the food was made or packaged. They don't indicate how long it will stay fresh or safe to eat.

And those mysterious strings of numbers and letters? Those are closed or coded dates. Manufacturers use them to identify production lots and assist with recalls or quality control. They're helpful to the company, but they don't tell consumers whether a food should be tossed.

So what SHOULD you do?

In a nutshell (pun intended): Trust your senses!

Ask yourself:

• Has the food been refrigerated or frozen properly?

• Is the package unopened or undamaged?

• Does it look and smell normal?

• Are there signs of mold, spoilage or an off odor?

If the answer is yes, the food may still be perfectly good to enjoy.

However, if you notice mold (where it shouldn't be), a sour or unusual smell, bubbling, discoloration, or a slimy texture, it's best to throw it away.

A Little Knowledge Can Save a Lot of Food

According to the USDA, confusion over food date labels contributes to unnecessary food waste in American households every year. Learning what those labels actually mean can help you save money, reduce waste, and make more confident decisions in your kitchen.

So, the next time you see yesterday's date on a package, don't automatically assume dinner is ruined.

Instead, remember that the date often indicates quality rather than safety.

In other words, the answer to the question "Can you eat it?" is more often than not, "Yes!"

(More food safety-type answers to questions can be found here.)

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