Are Expiration Dates Really Expiration Dates? What “Sell By,” “Use By” and “Best By” Actually Mean (269)

SPILL THE TEA TOPIC OF DISCUSSION

Are Expiration Dates Really Expiration Dates? What Sell By, Use By & Best By Actually Mean

Most Americans assume the date stamped on food tells them when it becomes unsafe. Surprisingly, that usually isn’t what the date means.

In this episode of Spill the Tea with D&E, Dominique and Erica break down Sell By, Best By, Best if Used By and Use By labels, explain why most food dating isn’t federally required, uncover the important infant-formula exception, and explore how confusion over date labels contributes to food waste.

We also talk about what matters more for food safety: refrigeration, storage, handling, time, temperature and the type of food you’re dealing with.

Before you clean out your refrigerator this weekend, listen to this episode. That “expired” food might not be expired at all.

HOMEWORK: Go through your refrigerator and pantry and find three different food-date labels. Read the words before the date and identify whether each is a Sell By, Best By, Best if Used By or Use By date.

When you’re unsure about safe storage times, look up the food in the USDA FoodKeeper resource rather than relying solely on the package date.

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HASHTAGS: #SpillTheTeaWithDE, #SpillTheTea, #FoodExpirationDates, #ExpirationDates, #FoodSafety, #FoodWaste, #BestBy, #BestIfUsedBy, #SellBy, #UseBy, #FoodLabels, #FoodLabeling, #FDA, #USDA, #FoodKeeper, #GroceryTips, #SaveMoney, #GrocerySavings, #ReduceFoodWaste, #FoodStorage, #RefrigeratorTips, #KitchenTips, #ConsumerEducation, #FoodFacts, #DidYouKnow, #HealthyHome, #SmartShopping, #MealPlanning, #PantryTips, #FrugalLiving, #SustainableLiving, #FoodQuality, #FoodMyths, #KitchenHacks, #HouseholdSavings, #SantaBarbaraWellnessCenter, #SBWC, #DominiqueAndErica, #Podcast, #WellnessPodcast

MUSIC CREDIT: Original Music copyright June 2026 Santa Barbara Wellness Center, Inc.

PRODUCTION NOTES: Approximate running time: 10 minutes at a comfortable conversational pace.

Keep the dialogue curious and playful rather than alarmist. Emphasize repeatedly that quality dates and food-safety limits are not the same thing, while making clear that safe storage and handling still matter and that infant formula should not be used beyond its federally required Use By date.

🌿🍵 The Last Sip 🍵🌿 Before we put the kettle away and head back into the adventure of everyday life, we’d like to leave you with one final thought:

Wellness isn’t something you buy. It’s something you build. One conversation, one healthy choice, one act of kindness, one deep breath, and sometimes one cup of tea at a time.

If today’s conversation inspired you, encouraged you, or simply made you smile, we invite you to support the work of Santa Barbara Wellness Center, Inc., a nonp