We've all done it gone through the fridge or pantry and tossed out food because the "Best if Used By" date passed. But did you know you might have been throwing away the makings of a perfectly good meal?
Dates on food normally refer to time limits for quality, not safety (one exception to this rule is baby formula). Wording on packaging varies, and it's important to understand what each one means
Sell By
This date tells the store how long to have the food out for sale; it also allows a reasonable amount of time after the date you buy it in which the food can be eaten. You should buy the food before the date expires.
Best if Used By (or Before)
This is the recommendation date for best flavor or quality, not a purchase or safety date.
Use By
This is the last date recommended for the use of the product while at peak quality; but many foods are safe after this date, too.
How long will food last?
If stored properly, most foods can last well beyond the date listed on their packaging. Likewise, if stored improperly, foods can go bad much earlier than the date shown.
Here is a chart to give you a general idea of how long some foods will last. Non-perishable foods, especially canned, can last even longer (anywhere from two to five years). Keep in mind, this all depends on if the food was handled properly.
Cereal 1 Year (unopened)
2-3 Months (opened)
Dairy: Butter 1-2 Months
Dairy: Cream Cheese, Sour Cream & Yogur 2 Weeks
Dairy: Milk 8-20 Days
Eggs 3-5 Weeks
Fruit: Apples Until Ripe 1 Month
Fruit: Apricots, Avocados, Grapes, Melons, Nectarines, Peaches, Pears & Plums Until Ripe 5 Days
Fruit: Berries & Cherries Until Ripe 3 Days
Fruit: Citrus Until Ripe 2 Weeks
Herbs & Ground Spices 6 Months
Honey, Jam, Jelly, Ketchup & Syrup 1 Year 6-8 Months (opened)
Meat: Bacon 2 Weeks (unopened)
1 Week (opened)
Meat: Fresh Beef Steaks & Roasts, Pork Chops & Lamb Chops 3-5 Days
Meat: Fresh Ground Meat (beef, veal, lamb) 1-2 Days
Poultry: Fresh Poultry 1-2 Days
Pasta 2 Years
Peanut Butter 6-9 Months (unopened)
2-3 Months (opened) 4-6 Months
Salad Dressing (Bottled) 1 Year (unopened) 3 Months (opened)
Vegetables: Broccoli, Peas, Lima Beans, Onions 3-5 Days
Vegetables: Cauliflower, Celery, Cucumbers, Lettuce, Tomatoes 1 Week
How do you tell if it's still good?
So, how can you tell when they're still okay to eat? Here's what to look for
Eggs
An egg's shell is very porous and the older an egg is, the more air gets under its shell. To test an egg's freshness, place it in a bowl of water. If it floats, the egg has a lot of air under its shell, meaning it is old and you should get rid of it. If it sinks to the bottom, there is little air under the shell, so it's fresh and good to use. If it sinks, but stands on its point, the egg is still good but you should use it soon.
Meat and Poultry
While most meats change colors as they age, it's due to other forces, such as oxidation, and not contamination. Instead, be aware of a bad odor and, if meat feels sticky, tacky or slimy, throw it away.
Cheese and Dairy Products
Look for mold with cheese, yogurt and cream. Soft cheese has greater moisture content and spoils faster than hard cheese, which is saltier and drier. Yogurt, milk and sour cream will also develop bad odors.
Butter
How long butter lasts depends on whether it is salted on unsalted (hint: salted lasts longer). A translucent layer will develop on the top of the butter, which indicates it is starting to go rancid. Another indicator is it could start to smell like cheese.
Juice
Within seven days of opening it, your bottle of juice will start to spoil. You probably won't notice it at first (and it's not harmful) because it won't smell or taste sour, like spoiled milk does. Instead, it will cause a tingle on your tongue, like a soda does.
Millet
