Can You Eat Yogurt Past the Date on the Cup?

The short answer

The date printed on a yogurt cup is a quality date, not a safety date. It tells you when the yogurt will taste its best.

Except for infant formula, the dates on food are not an indicator of a product's safety. Foods that are not showing signs of spoilage should be wholesome and may be sold, bought, donated, and eaten beyond the labeled "Best if Used By" date.

There is an honest limit: the quality of perishable foods may get worse after the date passes, even when the food is still safe.

What the date words on the cup mean

• "Best if Used By/Before" means when a product will be of best flavor or quality. It is not a purchase or safety date.
• "Use-By" means the last date recommended for using the product while at peak quality. It is not a safety date either — except on infant formula.
• "Sell-By" tells the store how long to display the product for sale. It is not a safety date.
• "Freeze-By" means when a product should be frozen to keep peak quality. It is not a purchase or safety date.

Except for infant formula, date labels are not required by federal law. Makers add the dates to show when food is at its best quality.

USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service recommends the "Best if Used By" wording.

How to judge a cup of yogurt

If the printed date passes while the food is stored at home, the product should still be safe and wholesome if it was handled properly — until spoilage shows.

Spoiled foods develop an off smell, an off flavor, or an off texture. These are caused by naturally occurring spoilage bacteria.

If a food has developed any of those — an off smell, an off flavor, or an off texture — do not eat it.

Keep it cold — handling matters

Handling matters. Food that is mishandled before or after the date can grow illness-causing bacteria fast.

The one exception: baby formula

Infant formula is the one exception. Federal rules require a "Use-By" date on infant formula, under the FDA.

Using formula by that date makes sure it still contains the nutrients listed on the label.

Do not buy or use baby formula after its "Use-By" date.

Want an exact storage time?

USDA's FoodKeeper gives storage guidance for hundreds of foods and drinks. It was built by the Food Safety and Inspection Service with Cornell University and the Food Marketing Institute. You can find it at FoodSafety.gov and as a phone app.

Questions: USDA Meat & Poultry Hotline, 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854), 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern, Monday to Friday.