Q & A - Using Milk Past Sell-By date

Q - I was curious what the policy on using milk and or heavy cream past the sell by date on the containers.

A - Thanks for the great question. The guidance from the Oregon Health Authority (the governing agency on Oregon Food Sanitation Rules) says:

‘Products may be used after the ‘sell-by" or “use-by” date put on the product by the manufacturer. The manufacturer places the “sell-by’ or “use-by” dates on the product voluntarily under an agreement with the USDA and FDA. “Sell-by” and “use-by” dates are assigned for quality reasons, not for food safety concerns. Once the packaged is open then the product must be date marked for rotation.’