With rising grocery prices raising, consumers may question whether food expiration dates are an effective measure to avoid food waste. Registered dietitian Julia Zumpano, a registered dietist with Cleveland Clinic, suggests that there are three types of food expiring dates: "sell by" or "best if used by", "use by," which indicates when a product will have its best flavor and quality. Zumpanos recommends using your senses to identify food expiration conditions, such as mold, sliminess, discoloration, and food that smells off, sour, or tastes wrong. She also recommends that shelf-stable items are usually the ones you can exceed their dates.