Food Expiration Dates: What's Safe, What's Not

By Kristin Kirkpatrick, MS, RD, LD, Cleveland Clinic

You stand in front of the refrigerator staring at a “sell by” date on food and have the internal debate: Do I throw it in the trash or take my chances?

You’re not the only one. Upwards of 91 percent of consumers have thrown food out based on the dates on packaging. But the dating system isn’t as clear as it seems. Nobody wants food poisoning — no fun — but few people want to waste food, either.

Let’s get some clarity.

Federal law does not require food dating in most cases, but 20 states do have laws about dates. In many cases, manufacturers add dates voluntarily.

In general, perishable foods such as meat, poultry, eggs and dairy get dates. But those dates aren’t always about spoilage. Some dates simply inform retailers when products are at their best for freshness, taste and texture.

The label types vary:

The “Sell by” date indicates how long a store should display a product on its shelves. But foods are still flavorful and safe to eat several days after this date if you store them properly.

The “Best if used by” date comes straight from manufacturers. The product will be freshest and have the best taste and texture if you eat it by this date. But this date does not refer to food safety.

The “Use by” date also comes from manufacturers. It’s the last date for peak quality. After this date, taste, texture and quality may go downhill, even if food safety does not.

The “Expiration” date is the only packaging date related to food safety. If this date has passed, throw the food out.

Still confused or concerned? Use the following rules of thumb for foods in your fridge or pantry.

Milk is typically safe for two to three days after the “use by” date. Keep it in the back of the fridge, where temperatures are typically coldest.

Butter will keep for two to three weeks after purchase.

Margarine will last for four to six months after purchase.

Eggs are safe for three to five weeks after purchase. Keep them in the back of the fridge, where temperatures are coldest, rather than in the door.

Chicken, ground meat and ground poultry will last for one to two days after purchase.

Pre-cooked poultry should keep for three to four days

Fish will last one to two days in the refrigerator after purchase.

Luncheon meat is safe for two to three weeks when it remains unopened. Use within three to four days after opening.

Dry pasta will last for one to two years after purchase.

Canned fruits and vegetables will last indefinitely. However, that rule goes out the window if they’re exposed to freezing temperatures or temperatures above 90°F. And be wary of damaged, dented or rusty packaging.

Also, remember that if you freeze something, it will last indefinitely, even if not at peak freshness, taste or texture.

Above all else, let common sense — and your senses —be your guide. If something smells rotten, curdles or turns a suspicious color, toss it in the trash.

Kristin Kirkpatrick, MS, RD, LD, is a registered dietitian and wellness manager for the Cleveland Clinic Wellness Institute.

Reprinted with permission of health.clevelandclinic.org. For more information, visit health.clevelandclinic.org.

 

 

you may also like

Recipes We

Khela88

Fancywin

Jita Ace

Betjili

https://betvisa1.org/

jeetbuzz লগইন

jeetwin app

baji999

winbuzz

betvisa login

winbuzz

six6s

babu88

marvelbet

krikya

mostplay

4rabet

leonbet

pin up

mostbet

all rummy app

Fastwin

Jitawin

R777

Bhaggo

PBC88

Winbdt

Crickex

Betjee

Glory Casino

Jita Bet

Melbet

Jwin7

Jita Ace

Krikya

Six6s

Betjili

Mostplay

Jeetbuzz

Jeetwin

Mostbet

Baji999

Marvelbet

Betvisa

Mcw

Nagad88

Babu88

Jaya9

babu88 babu88 jeetwin abbabet nagad88 marvelbet melbet mostbet six6s crickex mcw casino baji999 betvisa krikya mostplay crazy time jeetbuzz 79king1 good88 11bet xoso66 nohu78 xin88 nohu90 v9bet fastwin betvisa
jeetbuzz
babu88
babu888
jeetwin
nagad88
jaya9
khela88
mostplay
baji999
abbabet
1xbet 12bet marvel bet 91 club betvisa login baji999 sky247 gugobet lotus365 yolo247 bsport loto188 bsport site 8day xoso66 v9bet rummy deity yono rummy new88 typhu88 jeetbuzz dafabet lotus365 bet88 v9bet đăng nhập thienhabet 188bet link dafabet login betvisa king567 yolo247 login 1xbet login 24betting 91club crickex kubet new88 hi88 jun88 w88 shbet mksports 33win f8bet 123b fb88 vn88 mu88 five88 bk8 w388 gnbet mcw casino thienhabet sodo casino cmd368 bsport eubet sbobet mibet cmd368 Faridabad Satta Satta King 786 Dafabet betvisa yono rummy rummy apk

alo789

https://metalwave.com.mx/app/

https://meisetio.com/wp-includes/js/jquery/ai/index.php?tunnel=alo-789

https://purneauniversity.ac.in/assets/js/mk/?tunnel=baji999

fastwin

fastwin

winzo

winzo

futemax

Kèo nhà cái

bongdadzo

Tỷ số bóng đá

KQBD

Kết quả bóng đá

rummy nabob

hi88

8day

97win

n88

red88

king88

j88

i9bet

good88

nohu78

99ok

bet168

satta king

satta matta matka

Canais Play

ALO789

yono rummy
rummy deity
rummy nabob
rummy wealth
daman games
jeetbuzz
yolo247
baji999
rummy gold
188bet
v9bet
789bet
crickex
1xbet
thienhabet
c54
sky88
33win
79king
kubet
shbet
good88
3king
nohu
lucky88
97win
xoso66
xin88
daga88
yolo247
jeetbuzz
betvisa
jeetwin
baji999
nagad88
babu88
mostplay
babu888
jaya9
khela88
jaya9
khela88
jeetbuzz
betvisa
abbabet
babu88
babu888
jeetwin
nagad88
jaya9
joya 9
khela88
mostplay
marvelbet
baji999

Sponsored From Malaysia

말레이시아에서 후원