Food Sell-by dates don't mean 'throw out'

What do you do with food that has gone past the sell-by date stamped on the package? Many people get rid of it, but 7 On Your Side's Michael Finney says don't throw it out.

Food safety experts say we throw out thousands of dollars worth of food that is perfectly safe to eat.

Many food labels are stamped with a date to sell by or use by, but that doesn't mean the food will be unsafe to eat after that date. Instead, the manufacturer determined that is the last day the food is at its highest quality.

Research shows a family of four throws out $2,300 worth of perfectly good food each year.