The food expiry tracker that reads the date for you.
Point your iPhone at the date printed on the package. FreshScan knows a best-by from a packed-on date, puts what to eat first at the top, and reminds you at 9 AM before it passes.
- No account
- Works offline
- Free for 10 items
Screenshot: the FreshScan home screen listing blueberry yogurt and salmon fillets under Use today, then baby spinach, strawberries and salsa under Next 3 days, with a confirmation card reading October 4, 2026, Best-by date, Greek Yogurt.
What does the date on your food mean?
Type what's printed on the package, lot numbers and all. The decoder picks out the date to track, tells you what kind of date it is and how many days you have. It uses the same rules as the app, tested against the app's own code.
One line per line on the label. Lot numbers, weights and packed-on dates are fine to include; the decoder sorts them out.
Five things printed on one lid. One date to track.
Packages mix the expiry date with packing dates, lot codes and plant numbers. Here's how to tell them apart, and what FreshScan does with each.
- 1
GREEK YOGURTProduct name. FreshScan suggests it as the item name.
- 2
PACKED ON 09/20/26When it was packed, not when to use it. Scored down. Packed-on dates
- 3
BEST BY OCT 20 2026The date to track: a quality date. You'd get a reminder Oct 18 and Oct 20. Best by
- 4
LOT 26249 14:32Lot code and packing time. Ignored.
- 5
P1234 263Plant number and a Julian pack date (day 263 = Sep 20). Julian date converter
Four words, four meanings
Outside of infant formula, federal rules don't require dates on food, so the wording is up to the maker. Sell by vs use by vs best by, compared.
- BEST BY
Best by
Peak quality. Food stored properly is often fine after it.
Read more → - USE BY
Use by
The last day the maker recommends. Plan to use it by then.
Read more → - SELL BY
Sell by
For the store's shelves. Your clock starts when you buy it.
Read more → - FREEZE BY
Freeze by
Freeze it by this day to keep the best quality.
Read more →
Scan it when you unpack. Use it before you lose it.
- 01
Point at the date
The camera reads it on your iPhone and shows the full date and its type. One tap saves it with a photo. The camera stays open for the next item.
- 02
See what to eat first
Everything is sorted into Use today, Next 3 days and Later, so the food that needs eating is at the top.
- 03
Get a nudge at 9 AM
Two days before the date and on the morning of it. When a label shows two dates, FreshScan asks which one to track instead of guessing.
Use Greek yogurt soon9:00 AMGreek yogurt's best-by date is in 2 days.
Download on theApp StoreFree for up to 10 items. No account; your items stay on your iPhone. Requires iOS 18 or later.
Straight answers about food dates
Sourced from USDA and FDA, with the sources listed on every page.
Reading dates and codes
How long food keeps
About the app
More in support.
Is FreshScan free?
Yes. The free version keeps up to 10 items at a time, with scanning and reminders included. FreshScan Pro, an optional subscription, adds unlimited items, custom reminder timing and the Impact screen.
Does FreshScan tell me if food is safe to eat?
No. It reads the date the manufacturer printed, shows what kind of date it is, and reminds you before it. Whether food is still good also depends on storage and on how it looks and smells. The guides on this site explain what each date means.
What dates can it read?
Best by, best before, use by, sell by, display until and EXP dates, written with month names (OCT 04 2026), numbers (10/04/26), year first (2026-10-04) or month and year only. It recognizes packed-on and manufacturing dates and doesn't mistake them for the expiry. If a label shows two dates, it asks which one to track.
Do I need an account? Where is my data?
There's no account and no sign-in. Items, photos and reminders stay on your iPhone, and the app works offline.
Point your iPhone at the date. Get reminded before it passes.
FreshScan reads the printed date on the package, tells you which kind of date it is, and reminds you two days ahead and on the morning of the date. No account, and your items stay on your phone.
- Reads best by, use by, sell by and EXP dates, and skips packed-on dates
- Reminders at 9:00 AM, 2 days before and on the day
- Free for up to 10 items at a time