What does a "Best By" date primarily indicate regarding the food item's characteristics?
A decline in flavor or texture after that point.
Understanding the distinction between different printed dates on food packaging is essential for proper spoilage assessment. The 'Best By' date serves primarily as a quality benchmark rather than a definitive safety deadline. This date suggests the manufacturer's estimation of when the product will retain its optimal sensory qualities—its peak flavor profile and desired texture—under appropriate storage conditions. After this date, the food may begin to degrade in palatability, meaning it might taste stale or feel slightly off, but it is not automatically considered unsafe or spoiled, with the notable exception often noted for infant formulas. Conversely, improper storage can cause food to spoil rapidly even before its printed 'Best By' date arrives.
