When Your Food Goes Out Of Date, Here’s How Long It Stays Safe To Eat

You might wonder, then, what “best-by” dates are for. After all, it’s not illegal for grocery stores to sell products beyond the date stamped on them. However, some states may require that certain products, such as dairy, are sold before the expiration date. The only consumable products legally required to carry a date are baby food and infant formula, according to Eat by Date. In addition, expiration dates are merely advisory and are chosen by the manufacturer, so they may not reflect the actual shelf life of a product.