What do the “sell by” or “best before” dates on the carton really mean?
Since all Grade A and Grade AA All-Natural Eggs are USDA inspected, the “sell by” date represents the maximum days allowed by federal and/or state laws between the actual date the eggs were inspected and packaged, and the date when they should be sold from the retail store. “Best before” dates represent the recommended date by which to use the eggs while they’re still Grade A or Grade AA quality (when properly refrigerated). The date is beneficial in two ways. First, it provides the customer a guideline as to when the eggs should be sold from the retail shelves or consumed at their best quality. Second, it provides store personnel with a visual means to implement proper product rotation.
