Expiration dates are labels found on food and medicine that indicate the last day a product is safe to use or consume. These dates help ensure that we avoid eating spoiled food or using ineffective medications. For example, a carton of milk might have an expiration date of "March 1," meaning it should be consumed by that date for the best quality. It's important to note that expiration dates are not the same as "sell by" or "best before" dates. While sell by dates guide retailers on how long to display products, "best before" dates suggest when a product will be at its peak quality. Always check these dates to stay safe and healthy!