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Remember, these dates are chosen by the manufacturers, not by the FDA or USDA.
The use-by date has more to do with the item’s quality rather than its safety. For other types of items, it means that the product may not be as effective as it was before the given date. For food items, it means to be on higher alert when you open the product, as it could have started to decay or go stale. This date doesn’t mean that a food item, beauty product, or medicine is no longer safe or that it is bad already. Read a “use by” date as a tip for when an item might start to go bad. If so, you may want to replace it if it’s past the expiration date. The best recommendation is to ask yourself if you need the medication to work at the full 100%. Most over-the-counter medications are effective for as long as 10 years past the expiration date. It’s hard to tell if medicine is no longer potent. For example, a lotion might become lumpy or a liquid foundation might become tacky. If a beauty product smells strange or has changed in consistency, it most likely isn’t good anymore. If it smells good, looks good, and has been properly stored, it should still be safe to eat. If a food item smells bad or if you can see mold or discoloration, throw it out. Rather, it just means that the item will be at its freshest or most effective before that date. However, it definitely doesn’t indicate that the food item, medication, or beauty product will start going bad after the date given. The best-by date is meant for the consumer. Use a “best by” date to determine the peak window of freshness or potency. There are also “closed codes,” but those are meant for manufacturers, rather than consumers. These types of dates that come with a label are “open dates”, meaning that the food or manufacturing company chose that date and it’s meant for the consumer or for the stockers at the store. After they have been opened, it’s recommended to use them within 1 year, though if they don’t smell bad or change consistency, you can use your best judgment as to whether or not you want to keep using them. Keep in mind that most products have a 30-month shelf life. Many beauty products don’t come with expiration dates, but some do.
The numbers are stamped on and can sometimes be hard to read or find depending on where they were placed.
Look for a date accompanied with “use by,” “sell by,” or “best by.” X Trustworthy Source American Heart Association Leading nonprofit that funds medical research and public education Go to source Check the bottom of the product, the sides of the container, the lid, and the necks of bottles.