How do expiration dates play into this, you ask? Because date labels like Sell-By or Use-By are not federally regulated and should always be taken with a grain of salt. “Confusion over the meaning of dates applied to food products can result in consumers discarding wholesome food,” according to the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). “In an effort to reduce food waste, it is important that consumers understand that the dates applied to food are for quality and not for safety. Food products are safe to consume past the date on the label, and regardless of the date, consumers should evaluate the quality of the food product prior to its consumption.” The exception is for infant formula and some baby food, which have mandated expiration dates for safety purposes. As a brief primer, read over the list of the main types of expiration dates and their real meanings below, according to the FSIS.
A “Best if Used By/Before” date indicates when a product will be of the best flavor or quality. It is not a purchase or safety date.A “Sell-By” date tells the store how long to display the product for sale for inventory management. It is not a safety date.A “Use-By” date is the last date recommended for the use of the product while at peak quality. It is not a safety date, except when used on infant formula.A “Freeze-By” date indicates when a product should be frozen to maintain peak quality. It is not a purchase or safety date.
The best way to discern whether a food or beverage is safe to eat is to inspect it for signs of spoilage. Your nose knows: “Spoiled foods will develop an off odor, flavor, or texture due to naturally occurring spoilage bacteria. If a food has developed such characteristics, it should not be eaten,” states the FSIS. We concede that there are a select number of foods that don’t really go bad for ages, if ever. Sure, they might not taste or appear brand new, but as long as you’re storing these pantry staples under the right conditions (i.e., avoiding heat and direct sunlight), you should be able to keep them for a very long time.
