Food packaging?

Food packaging:  What are the meanings of; Expires on DATE; Best if used by DATE; Do not sell after DATE. Is there really a difference. ?  20 year old Twinkies still taste the same as if you bought them yesterday, in my opinion.

CrustyCurmudgeon2020-12-01T06:10:05Z

Except for Born On (date of manufacture) most of those dates have little meaning. Great article in the NYTimes explains food dates:
https://www.nytimes.com/article/expiration-dates-coronavirus.html

Anonymous2020-11-30T22:41:24Z

No food “expires” and I doubt you'll find any labelling claiming or implying that it does.

A “best before” or “best by” (which doesn't really makes sense) means EXACTLY what it says - the manufacturer claims the product is at it's best before that date (usually the product is fine long after that date.

I've never ever come across a, “do not sell after...” date but that is obviously a form of stock control for the benefit of the seller.

Anonymous2020-11-30T22:01:07Z

No food "expires" except baby formula.

kswck22020-11-30T20:33:00Z

Those dates are more to limit the company Liabilities than anything else. If the food is still good, just eat it. 

?2020-11-30T20:30:17Z

All those dates mean - If the product is rotten, poor quality, tastes off then TOOOO BAAAD for you the company will not have any reason to compensate you for you dissatisfaction.

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