Surprise test: You take a chicken out of the fridge to prepare it for dinner and notice that yesterday was the best-before date. You should:
A. Throw it away because not many emergency rooms offer a gastrointestinal plan for the whole family.
B. Cook to an internal temperature of at least 90°C (195°F) to kill the salmonella; serve with a hot sauce to mask any residual odors.
C. Relax. You and the supermarket have complied with FDA regulations that require this chicken to be sold before the date on the label.
D. Refusal to answer on the grounds that it is obviously a trick question.
If you chose “D,” you’re correct. This is a trick question, and what better way to start an article about confusing data than with a confusing surprise test?
In fact, “C” would be correct if it weren’t for the word “regulations.” With the exception of infant formula and some baby foods, dating products is not required by federal regulations. It’s a convenience that food manufacturers provide to store owners.
US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack told a story at a Food Waste Summit in Washington DC about how his adult son cleaned out the fridge and threw away anything that was past its expiration date, even if it was frozen. What he’s trying to say is that if his own son doesn’t understand what these dates mean, who will?
The answer: Not many of us. According to a survey by the Harvard Food Law and Policy Clinic, nearly 85% of respondents admitted to throwing away food based solely on the date on the packaging.
Although dating some products is required in 20 states, manufacturers and processors do the dating voluntarily. To further undermine your confidence, stores are not legally required to remove expired products from their shelves, so it’s up to you to make sure you’re getting the freshest products possible.
This means checking the packaging label carefully and purchasing items with the most current date.
WHAT IS FOOD PACKAGING DATING?
The calendar date or “opening date” on food packaging (as opposed to a code) is a date stamped on the packaging of a product to help the store determine how long the food should be available for sale. It can also help the customer know the time limit for purchasing or using the product at its best quality.
An open date is not a safety date. These dates help stores get rid of older inventory and protect manufacturers from potential liability claims. While most markets are vigilant about inventory rotation, some are not.
“BEST BEFORE”, “BETTER USE BEFORE” OR “BEST BEFORE”
This will tell you how long the product will retain its best taste and highest quality according to the manufacturer.
Typically, this information is found on products such as baked goods, cereals, snacks and some canned goods. The food is still edible after this date, but the taste or texture may have changed slightly.
“Expiry date”, “Use by” or “Use before”
These phrases are found on yogurt, eggs and other foods that need to be refrigerated.
Other expiration dates are approximate, but this one means what it says. If you haven’t used the product by this date, throw it away.
“GUARANTEED FRESH”
This date is often used for perishable baked goods. After this date, freshness is no longer guaranteed, but the product may still be edible.
‘SELL BY’
This date is usually found on perishable foods such as meat, milk and bread. It determines the shelf life and gives time to store and use the product at home. Even after this date, the product is still safe and healthy.
For example, properly chilled milk will generally last at least a week after its best-before date. Meat that has passed its best-before date is still fresh, but should be consumed or frozen within 48 hours.
‘PACKING DATE’
Some products have a “packing date” that indicates when they were packaged. This information is often encrypted so that only manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers can read it. The packing date on some products, such as eggs, is given as a Julian date (1 to 365): January 1 is 1 and December 31 is 365.
CAN YOU FREEZE FOOD THAT GOES SPOILY?
Freezing excess food like meat and bread is a great way to reduce waste. Once frozen, food doesn’t spoil, but remember: the sooner you freeze it, the fresher and better it will be when thawed.
While frozen food has an unlimited shelf life, its quality can deteriorate the longer it stays in the freezer. When it’s time to thaw your food, it’s safest to place it in the refrigerator and let it thaw slowly. Don’t leave food on the countertop to avoid the risk of spoilage.
HOW LONG DO FOODS FROM THE PANTRY REALLY LAST?
Shelf-stable foods like pasta, snacks, canned goods, baked goods, and jerky technically last forever. But that doesn’t mean they always taste good. These products are good to eat indefinitely, but their freshness and quality depend on the product. Unopened canned goods can last for years if the packaging is intact, while dried foods like pasta can go stale or change flavor slightly over time.
HOW LONG CAN LEFTOVERS BE STORED?
You can usually see, smell or taste when cooked food has spoiled. If you’re not sure, you can use the Department of Agriculture’s FoodKeeper app to check how long certain foods will last. In general, you should throw out leftovers after about four days. Even in the refrigerator, spoilage bacteria can grow, so properly stored leftovers won’t stay fresh forever.
Bottom line: the fresher your food is, the better it is and the longer you have to use it up at home. So be careful and always read the label. Tip: In a well-stocked store, the freshest products are at the back of the shelf or under older products.
Mary invites you to visit her at EverydayCheapskate.com, where this column is archived with links and resources for all recommended products and services. Mary invites questions and comments at https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/contact/, “Ask Mary.” This column answers questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of EverydayCheapskate.com, a frugal living blog, and the author of the book “Debt-Proof Living.”
