You don’t have to immediately toss anything that’s “expired.” ...

As you shop for groceries, cook family meals, and bake homemade treats, it's probably become second nature to glance at the date on each package to make sure an ingredient is still fresh and usable.

Federal law does not require most food expiration dates. Learn how food date labels work and what really signals spoilage.

Food labels can be confusing, with terms like "sell by," "best by," and "use by," among others. There are limited federal requirements that product expiration dates be labeled for safety.

If you’ve ever tossed out a carton of milk or a container of yogurt solely because the date on the packaging had passed, you’re not alone. Many people throw away food simply because of the date ...

Food labels such as “sell by,” “use by” and “best by” have long been confused for expiration dates on grocery products, leading consumers to prematurely throw away perfectly safe and nutritious foods.