Next time you open your refrigerator, please glance at the back of this essential kitchen appliance and pull out any “questionable” items that you might not have seen in the recent past. Perhaps you’ll find a yogurt you bought on sale (last month), or funky American cheese or unfamiliar salad dressing. Your first reaction is to possibly check the item for an “unpleasant odor” or “plant growth” and you might glance at the expiration date of the item. Do not rely on your sense of smell when deciding whether or not to eat a particular “aged” food!
What most people don’t realize is that the expiration dates on most foods are based on a “voluntary” food labeling system. Federal labeling laws regarding expiration dates are only required on infant formulas and some baby foods. Several states also require food markets to remove dairy items from store shelves based on expiration dates.
The expiration date refers to the last date a food should be eaten. Basically, foods can be sold past the printed expiration date. My recommendation is to NEVER eat a product past the expiration date. What about other commonly used terms?
-”Sell By“ date. The sell by date is a term which indicates how long to keep the product on the store shelf. The product should be purchased before the sell by date. My family always comments that I “reach back”, when buying items in the supermarket, and I never take the food item in front. That’s because I know that the sell by date is a way for the stores to continue to rotate items, and therefore the newer items are usually toward the back. Although foods might still be “edible” if they are sold after the sell by date, they are not necessarily fresh.
-”Use By” The manufacturer of the product, not the Federal Government determines the use by date. The use by date refers to the last date the product should be eaten or used for top quality. The use by date has nothing to do with the safety of the food being sold.
-”Guaranteed Fresh” date. Most baked goods have a guaranteed fresh date. Nothing is actually guaranteed here! Rather the guaranteed fresh date refers to when a product is most fresh. Baked goods obviously are on store shelves for a shorter period of time, so this date may not be “guaranteed” for long! That’s why “day old bread” or muffins are often on a reduced sale rack.
Food stays fresher longer if it is placed in the coldest part of the refrigerator (which should always be below 40 degrees Fahrenheit- 36-38 degrees is optimal). Try not to place uncooked meat or dairy next to the light bulb or on the door (which is opened often and therefore the temperature of the foods on the door is often higher). Always refrigerate perishable food items as soon as you get home!
Because expiration dates are voluntary, they are often not uniform and therefore very confusing. It’s important to remember that the dates on food products refer to “quality” and not food “safety”. Select foods carefully and store them properly. Please make sure your freezer and refrigerator are clean and functioning optimally. Don’t over pack your refrigerator, because air flow and temperature regulation are very important.
If you would like more information on food storage check out:
Cold Storage Chart:
http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/food/cooking4groups/8.htm
Refrigerated foods:
http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/food/cooking4groups/9.htm
Remember the motto ”when in doubt, throw it out”! If you have any concerns about a food item, don’t eat it! It’s best to keep an updated inventory of foods in your home. Make sure you buy foods that you plan on eating “soon”! And clean out your refrigerator, freezer and pantry. Toss foods that you think might be questionable. To avoid wasting money and throwing out food, try to purchase perishable and canned food products in smaller quantites. It will improve the freshness and quality of your food while reducing waste. Remember, enjoy what you’re eating, but stay safe!
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