Knowing that some foods are ok to eat after their "use by" dates will help me decrease food waste.
"Best by" dates are not
expiration dates, however. They merely mark the last day before food quality declines. In fact, experts claim that milk may be good for up to a week
after its printed date (always use visual cues and common sense before indulging, however). So if "best by" dates aren't regulated and they don't indicate expiration, why do companies print them?
Food dating came into the picture in the 1970s when consumers were producing less of their own food but still wanting information about
how it was made. Food companies realized that a spoiled food product may turn consumers away from a certain store or food brand, and so they chose date ranges to keep food in peak condition. Since then, food dating has been
streamlined:
"Best by" indicates when a product will be of best flavor or quality.
"Sell by" is used by manufacturers to ensure proper turnover throughout the journey of the food product. This helps the food retain a long shelf life even after purchase.
"Use by" marks the last date recommended for the use of the product. This is often printed on meat, poultry or egg labels and should be taken seriously.
What Happens if You Eat Food After the Date?
As previously mentioned, sometimes eating food after the "best by" date simply means a decline in quality.
Yogurt, for example, can be eaten
14 to 24 days after the printed date, but it will become increasingly sour during that time.
Other foods, however, might
make you sick, and the symptoms can range from a stomach ache to full-on food poisoning. Experts say that
chicken is one of the worst offenders: listeria was found when the poultry was stored in the fridge for 2 weeks past its "use by" date.
So how can you really be sure that food is okay to eat after the expiration date? Remember the difference between "best by" and "use by":
milk, cheese, and bread can all last for varying time after their "best by" date when left unopened and stored properly. However, it is not recommended to ignore the "use by" date of
meat, poultry or eggs.