Two raw chicken breasts on a cutting board
FOOD NEWS
Is It Safe To Eat Chicken Past The 'Sell By' Date?
BY STEPHANIE FRIEDMAN
Two raw chicken breasts on a plate
Chicken packages and the FDA each have clear guidelines for when to buy your chicken and when to consume it, but they don't exactly align with each other.
A person putting raw chicken breasts in packages
While the FDA advises consumers to purchase chicken before the sell-by date, it also states that "product guides aren't a guide for safe use of a product."
The FDA goes on to note that chicken should be eaten within two days of purchase if it's kept in the refrigerator — no matter what.
Overall, it may be safe to eat chicken that is past the sell-by date by an extra day or two, but make sure to check for any signs of spoilage before taking the risk.