The Facts about “Best Before” and “Best After” Expiration Dates

[Ziyi]

http://dealsscoop.com/facts-best-before-after-expiration-dates/

The main thing I found is that – with the exception of baby formula – “expiration dates” DO NOT signal that food is unsafe to eat.

Let’s explore this in depth:

• Use-By, Best if Used By, Best By, Best Before – These are all ways “expiration” dates are written on shelf-stable products – things like mayonnaise, peanut butter and canned goods. And the truth is these dates have NOTHING to do with food safety! The date listed is the last day that the item is considered to be in “peak quality” – after this date the quality may diminish in terms of taste, texture, color, scent or nutritional value. However, as long as the product is unopened and stored properly, these items are still perfectly safe to eat after the “expiration” date.

• Sell-By – This is how “expiration” dates are written on perishables, for example – meat, seafood and dairy products. And once again the date has NOTHING to do with food safety! The date is actually only for store use – it is the date on which the store must remove the product from their shelf. What does this mean for consumers? It means that you can still eat these items after the listed date as long as they are refrigerated properly or frozen. Meat is good for a few days after you buy it (even after the sell-by date), milk can still be good for about a week after the date, and eggs are typically fine to eat even 3-5 weeks after the listed date.

Expires On – Now this is the ONLY scenario I found where the date listed is a real expiration date. This wording is only used on infant formula and some baby foods. If these products are past the listed date, toss them out!

So to summarize, unless you’re dealing with baby formula, the “expiration” dates listed are only there to guide quality, NOT safety. Safety is another issue entirely, so here are some helpful guidelines:

• While food can be eaten past the expiration date, this is the rule for UNOPENED products only. If you’re dealing with opened foods, do a search on Still Tasty’s “Keep It Or Toss It” page to see how long it’s good:

• If eating something beyond its date always check for mold, which can cause you to become sick. If you find mold, the safest thing to do is to toss it.

• Most food-bourne illnesses are not caused by food that is “old” but rather by mishandling or improper storage, preparation or cooking. Therefore, store shelf-stable items in a cool, dry places, refrigerate or freeze items that need to be kept cool, make sure to properly wash produce before you eat it, always prepare food with clean hands, and make sure your food is cooked to the proper temperature.

• Don’t eat food from cans that have signs of bulging, leaking or denting, because these things can cause the contents of the can to spoil. The same goes for glass containers – if the lid is loose, the seal is bulging, or the container is cracked then it is not safe.

For boxed or bagged items, discard if the bag is torn or leaking, or if the box has been opened.

• When determining if a food is safe to eat, always use your senses. If the product looks or smells funny then it’s probably time to go.