“Best before” labels are coming under scrutiny as concerns about food waste grow. The FDA suggests consumers look for changes in color, consistency or texture to determine if foods are all ...

It will require a “Best if Used By” label, signaling the product’s peak quality, and “Use By” label for product safety. Exempt from the law are eggs, beer and other malt beverages.

Myth: Date labels are nationally standardized “Use by,” “best by,” “expires on” or any of the other myriad phrases you might see stamped on your food don’t have official definitions.