Saving with 6abc: Decoding expiration dates

Are you throwing away thousands of dollars in food you think has gone bad?

Statistics show the average American family does.

Best buy, use by, enjoy by, sell by dates... what does it all mean?

We're helping you decode labels to find out what is still okay to eat.

Dr. Michael Hansen, a senior scientist with Consumer Reports, says we often think they all mean expiration dates, and we tend to throw the items away, leading to major waste.

For the most part, that date is not the last day it's safe to consume. It's the last day the product is at its PEAK quality.

The labeling guidelines vary from state to state, while some have no guidelines at all.

The only product with a federally regulated date? Infant formula.

Dr. Hansen says, "There is complete confusion out there. You just gotta use common sense. The food will either smell or taste bad before it gets to the point that it's going to make you sick."

The Natural Resources Defense Council says milk can be good for up to 1 week after the printed date.

Eggs are good within three to five weeks from your purchase date.

And the USDA says certain canned goods, like soup and green beans, can be good on the shelf for up to 5 years, if left unopened.