What does the "sell by" date mean on milk, meat and other products?

Question

Can U drink/eat it after that date?
Does the store HAVE to sell them by that date?
I've heard somewhere that you can still eat/drink it 5 days after that. is that ture?

Answer 1

The sell date is a date posted on all food products now so it is fresh when you purchase it. Yes the food is still good to eat up to 5 days past this date and sometimes longer depending on what it is.
Eggs,for example will keep for weeks as long as they are refrigerated. Meats can always be frozen and used later. Same with bread.

Answer 2

"Sell by" date means exactly that. It denotes the last day that a store can *sell* the item. Manufacturers wisely assume that the average household will not be able to consume an entire gallon of milk in one day, so the "sell by" date is usually set a few days before the product is expected to actually spoil (its "expiration date").

Bear in mind, though, that the closer you get to an item's sell-by date, the less fresh it will be, which usually means the less delicious it will be. If you're just picking up a quart of milk to whip up tonight's batch of clam chowder, or if you grab a couple of steaks that have been reduced for quick sale because they're coming up on their sell-by date and plan to cook them right away, you're fine. But it's usually not a good plan to play Expiration-Date Chicken with your food.

Answer 3

It means that the store must sell the item by that date. They can not sell it after that date. Most of the time the stuff is still good after the date marked but I would smell it first.

Answer 4

It means the product is best if used by that date. It is an experation date . It is usually ok for a few days after the date but I wouldn't buy anything that is expired.

Answer 5

it's the last legal day they can sell the product. if it's still good, you can drink it.

Answer 6

Take a whiff, if it's stinky~DONT EAT IT!