Those dates are guides especially the best by dates. I use my judgement. Does it smell good, does it look good, and then does it taste good. I have a cousin who throws out everything, can goods, dried goods , and packaged steak meat that may have been left out on the counter more than 30 minutes. She is petrified of getting food poisoning even though she never has it at home. She has had food poisoning as she eats out 5 times a week. If I were her I would stay away from the restaurants she eats at. Lol