Many people interpret food expiration dates as hard deadlines for when food is no longer safe to eat, but that’s often not the case. These dates usually refer to the peak quality of the food, not its safety. “Best by” and “sell by” dates are often used by manufacturers to indicate when a product is freshest or tastes the best, but many foods remain safe and edible beyond these dates. Misunderstanding these labels leads to unnecessary food waste.
Understanding the Labels:
The “Sell by” Date: This is intended for retailers and informs them when to take a product off the shelves. It doesn’t mean the food is unsafe after that date, just that it might not be at its best quality. Many products are still perfectly fine to consume afterward.
The “Best by” or “Use by” Date: These dates are indicators of peak freshness or flavor, not safety. Food past this date may lose some of its quality, but it’s still safe to eat as long as it hasn’t spoiled.
The “Expiration Date”: This is one of the few dates that directly impacts safety. In products like baby formula, expiration dates should be followed closely because consuming them after this date could pose a risk.
Safety vs. Quality:
Food safety is about proper storage and handling, not just the date on the label. Milk, for example, can last beyond the “sell by” date if stored properly in a refrigerator. Similarly, dry goods like pasta or cereal are safe to eat long after their printed dates. The best way to determine if a food item is still good is to use your senses: check for unusual smells, texture changes, or visible signs of spoilage.
Reducing Food Waste:
Because many people misunderstand these labels, a lot of perfectly good food gets thrown out. Reducing food waste means being more mindful of how long different foods remain safe and using your judgment instead of relying solely on the printed dates. For example, canned foods, frozen items, and dry goods often remain edible for months or even years after their “best by” date.
In conclusion, food expiration dates are more about quality than safety. Understanding what these labels mean and using your senses to judge food will help reduce waste and ensure you aren’t discarding good food unnecessarily.
