Guidelines For Food Expiration Dates
Does Food Really Go Bad ?
Ever wonder if those expiration dates you find on food are accurate, or even necessary? Many can be confusing, as it's mostly a very wide margin that the dates encompass. But are they actually assisting in keeping us safe, or just there to inspire turnover? There are so many differences on the variation and length of dates from milk to meat. The first confusing aspect is that each date can mean something different.
There are "sell by" dates which indicate how long a store is able to keep these foods on the shelf. "Use by" dates are closest to being actual expiration dates, and using them after this date is generally not preferable. "Best used by" sometimes also indicts more how long a food will hold its flavor.
It's important to remember that data dates such are these may not be government sanctioned. The Food and Drug Administration actually only demands that expiration dates be put onto infant formula. This is done because formula has a label that requires each nutrient be contained on it. Formula has a tendency to lose its nutrients if stored too long.
Meats are another food that has dates with different meanings. Poultry needs to carry the date it was packed, according to the Department of Agriculture. Manufactures can also add their dates. In actually, government departments are fairly slack on requiring food shelf-life dates to be put onto products. This is because most dates are not about safety but instead the quality of the goods.
It was discovered that milk can lose its nutrient when packaged in containers that allow it to be exposed to light. Milk can stay good for almost a week after the sell-by date. Even if it spoils, it is not usually dangerous.
Canned goods can last as long as 18 months on the shelf, and low acid foods in cans for up to five years. Foods that contain oils that can go bad like mayonnaise will more than likely just lose or change flavor before they are actually harmful. If refrigerated properly, eggs can have a much longer shelf life than the sell-by date on the carton, if stored properly.
Drugs and vitamins also have varying dates. While some claim that these dates are meant to encourage more sales, others state that when drugs break down they become dangerous.
Expiration dates can be stretched by using proper storage. Leaving food in the car, on loading docks or on counters reduces the length of time they can be properly stored. Because consumers do not know how long the food stood before they acquired it, it's best to store foods as quickly as possible in their proper place.
In the end, perhaps the best rule of thumb is to label foods with your own dates, when they were purchased and how long they will last. Just because a food is not fresh does not mean it can't be eaten. Use your best judgment.
