Food Dates
Food Product Dating
There is a lot of confusion and misunderstanding when it comes to the dates printed on food products. Below you will find information about food product labeling and what our policies are at Korting.
At Korting, we are committed to providing quality goods at exceptional prices—customer satisfaction is our highest priority. When it comes to food, we have strict quality standards that we abide by and all of our food products come with a satisfaction guarantee.
Below is information about food product dates from USDA.gov
Are Food Dates for Safety or Quality?
Manufacturers provide dating to help consumers and retailers decide when food is of best quality. Except for infant formula, dates are not an indicator of the product’s safety and are not required by Federal law.
Are Foods Safe to Eat After the Date Passes?
YES! With an exception of infant formula, if the date passes during home storage, a product should still be safe and wholesome if handled properly until the time spoilage is evident. Spoiled foods will develop an off odor, flavor or texture due to naturally occurring spoilage bacteria. If a food has developed such spoilage characteristics, it should not be eaten.
Common Date-Labeling Phrases
Best if Used By/Before
Indicates when a product will be of best flavor or quality. It is not a purchase or safety date.
Sell-by
Tells the store how long to display the product for sale for inventory management. It is not a safety date.
Use-By
The last date recommended for the use of the product while at peak quality. It is not a safety date except for when used on infant formula as described below.
Freeze-BY
Indicates when a product should be frozen to maintain peak quality. It is not a purchase or safety date.
Korting Policies on Food Dates
At Korting, we never sell baby food or infant formula past the date. We do sell other foods past their “best if used by/before” or “sell by” dates. All of our food products, however, come with a satisfaction guarantee and are quality tested.