What to Know Food Expiration

Food expiration dates indicate when a product is no longer safe to eat or will no longer provide its peak quality. Here's what you need to know about food expiration dates:

Types of Expiration Dates:

1. "Use By" or "Expiration Date": These are the strictest dates, indicating when a product is no longer safe to consume. Foods like meat, poultry, fish, and eggs have "Use By" dates.

2. "Best Before" or "Best By": These dates indicate the product's peak quality and freshness, but it doesn't necessarily mean it's unsafe to consume after this date. Many dry goods and pantry staples fall into this category.

3. "Freeze By": This date indicates the recommended last day for freezing a product to maintain optimal quality.

4. "Sell By" or "Display Until": These are for retailers and indicate the date by which the product should be removed from shelves, not the consumer.

Interpretation:

1. "Use By" Dates: Strictly adhere to these dates, as consuming foods beyond this point can pose health risks.

2. "Best Before" Dates: These are more flexible guidelines. The food may still be edible after this date if properly stored, but it may have compromised taste, texture, or nutritional value.

3. "Freeze By" Dates: Freezing foods by the recommended date helps preserve quality and extend their shelf life.

4. Packaged vs. Homemade Foods: Packaged foods have more accurate expiration dates, while homemade foods don't have specific dates listed and rely on sensory evaluation (smell, taste, appearance).

5. Proper Storage: Always follow storage instructions on food labels to maximize shelf life.

Refrigerator and Freezer Storage:

- Refrigerate perishable items like dairy products, meat, poultry, fish, and eggs.

- Freeze foods that you won't consume immediately.

Spoilage Signs:

Even if within the expiration date, look out for signs of spoilage like:

- Off-smell

- Unusual texture

- Discoloration

- Mold growth

In case of doubt, discard the food to avoid any health risks.

Remember that food safety and quality are top priorities. When in doubt, always discard questionable foods.

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