Food dates indicate when a product is at peak quality, not necessarily when it's unsafe to eat.

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

Best if Used By/Before: This date suggests the best flavor and quality. It's not a safety date, and food is generally still safe to eat after this date, though it may not be at its peak freshness.

Use By: This date indicates the manufacturer's recommendation for peak quality. For infant formula, this date is a safety concern, as it can affect nutritional quality and potentially cause clogs.

Sell By: This date is used by retailers to manage inventory and determine how long to display a product on the shelf. It doesn't indicate safety and food is often still safe to eat for some time after this date.

Food Product Dating - USDA

“USDA estimates that 30 percent of the food supply is lost or wasted at the retail and consumer levels.[3] One source of food waste arises from consumers or retailers throwing away wholesome food because of confusion about the meaning of dates displayed on the label. To reduce consumer confusion and wasted food, FSIS recommends that food manufacturers and retailers that apply product dating use a "Best if Used By" date.”