Soup
Sell By
For store inventory — tells retailers when to pull items from shelves.
Expires On
Rare; sometimes used on baby formula — indicates when nutrient levels may decline.
Bottom line: None of these mean “toss after this date.”
The USDA and FDA agree: These labels are about quality, not safety.
How to Tell If Food Is Still Safe
Instead of relying on dates, trust your senses:
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eggs
Pasta
Cheese
Yogurt
Milk
milk
cheese
Eggs
Rice
Soup
Smell
Sour milk? Rotten eggs? Off odors = toss it.
Look
Mold, discoloration, or cloudiness in liquids.
Feel
Slimy texture on meat or fish? Dried-out or brittle produce?
Taste (if safe)
Try a tiny taste test — only if there are no signs of spoilage.
When in doubt, throw it out — but don’t assume “expired” means unsafe.
D
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