> I heard about what the dates mean recently. I found this information on the Consumer Affairs Web site.
>
> Ferrick
>
> "Most people are surprised to find out that:
>
> * Stores are not legally required to remove food once the expiration date has passed. They are strictly "advisory" in nature.
> * Dating is not federally required, except for infant formula and baby food. States have varying laws. Most states require that milk and other perishables be sold before the expiration date.
>
> The major codes are:
>
> * Sell by-- Don't buy the product after this date. This is the "expiration date."
> * Best if used by-- Flavor or quality is best by this date but the product is still edible thereafter.
> * Use by-- This is the last day that the manufacturer vouches for the product's quality. "

Having looked on the FDA site, they say this:

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Because the expiration date is not indicative of product quality if storage conditions have been less than optimal, FDA does not require expiration dates on most products. An exception to this answer is that expiration dates are required on drugs.

The dates required on infant formula products are "use by" dates, not "expiration" dates. A consumer using the infant formula product before this date is assured that the product meets nutritional and quality standards.
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So yeah, you can still feed your kid "old" baby food if you'd like.

-FP