There’s fresh talk today about how to decode expiration dates on food packages to determine whether it’s really time to toss them in the trash.
“There is actually a lot of controversy right now about what the dates mean and if they are used appropriately,” said Elizabeth Andress, Ph.D., food safety specialist at the University of Georgia and project director for the USDA National Center for Home Food Preservation. She said “best if used by” dates on commercially canned foods are not expiration dates for food safety. They’re meant to recommend a date for best taste.
Andress said, “So perfectly safe food can be wasted by people throwing out food past the recommended use by dates for taste quality.”
NSF International, a public health organization, surveyed consumers on how they use “best by” or “sell by” dates. One-third tossed food from the fridge and pantry before they should. That contributes to the estimated $160 billion chalked up to unnecessarily wasted food in the U.S. Meanwhile, about a third of consumers kept foods too long past expiration dates, upping their risk of eating unsafe foods.
NSF found both men and women rely on changes in appearance, color or texture more than the date on the package. But, women are a bit quicker to throw out expired meat, canned goods and pre-washed vegetables. Dan Flynn, editor of Food Safety News, said the current method of dating isn’t working. “Instead, it’s contributing to food waste and putting others at risk of foodborne illnesses.”
When in doubt, throw it out?
Expiration date or Use by date: These as these are end-dates because food safety cannot be guaranteed beyond the dates listed. You'll see these on dairy products and pre-cut produce. Take this very seriously for deli meats, hot dogs and soft cheeses because these foods can become contaminated with potentially deadly bacteria.
Sell by date: This tells retailers when to remove the product from the shelf. Note that eggs can be safe to eat three weeks after the sell by date on the carton if they've been properly refrigerated under 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Best Used By date: The product loses quality and freshness after that date. Cereals, crackers and cookies lose their crunch and can have an off taste because the fats in the food become rancid. Unless frozen, any food that's past its best-by date should be discarded. After opening, remember to refrigerate condiments such as ketchup, soy sauce and steak sauce.
Note: If you’re spring cleaning your pantry, food banks do not want your expired foods either.
