Expiration Dates: They don’t mean as much as you think they do.

Dates on products aren’t as important as you might think. By law, only infant formula and certain baby foods are required to have dates stamped on them. Most foods are still safe after the “expiration date” has come and gone. However, the taste may be affected. Before you toss out good food based on expiration dates, be sure you know what the codes mean:

DIFFERENT CODES

Sell by: Don’t buy the product after this date. This is the expiration date.
Best if used by: Flavor or quality is at its best before this date, but the product is still edible thereafter.
Use by: This is the last day that the manufacturer suggests for peak product quality.

RELATED: USDA Food Product Dating

MORE ADVISORY THAN EXPIRED

The dates listed on food products are basically guidelines, for both sellers (store) and customers. Most of the dates are not actually expiration dates, and don’t mean you’ll get sick if you eat something that is past its “best by” date.

USE COMMON SENSE

Use your senses, of course. If something smells bad, looks bad, tastes bad, don’t eat it. If it’s a box of crackers, you should be fine. Foods with very low water content last longer.

You can freeze most foods, including many dairy products and meats. Most frozen foods stay good for months. Always freeze foods promptly and use freezer-type bags and freezer-safe containers. Most foods will last up to 3 months when frozen, though some may last even longer.

Sell-by dates usually allow additional time for grocery stores to sell their products and can be kept safely in your refrigerator for seven days after that date. Many other items will be fine beyond the sell-by date, especially if they are properly stored.

Most meats are good for a day or two after purchase within two days of purchase. Use poultry, seafood, and ground or chopped meat within two days. Most meats are good for almost a year after you purchase them if they are properly wrapped in a freezer.

---

2011 Farmer’s Almanac