Expiration Dates

WHAT DO THEY REALLY MEAN?

By Dylan Roche

We’ve all been there—you pull something out of the fridge or pantry that you don’t remember buying too long ago. But before you take the first sip or bite, your eye happens to fall on a little date stamped on the package. According to this, the food you’re about to eat expired three days ago.

Or did it?

Spoiler alert (no pun intended): The date printed on a food’s package doesn’t necessarily indicate spoilage. Instead, you might have another few days, weeks, or even months to continue enjoying those foods without any health risks.

What Do These Dates Mean?

If you’re like most people, you might assume that putting what are often referred to as “expiration dates” on food packaging is required by law. But dating is completely voluntary according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Although some states have regulations about what dates are required, there are no federal laws regulating this.

These dates are less about health and safety and more about quality control—hence why many manufacturers use them despite the fact that they don’t have to.

Need a quick explanation on what these dates typically mean. Consider this:

SELL BY: This is the date the store will display the product for sale at full price.

BEST BEFORE OR USE BY: This is the date when the food product is at its peak quality and will have the best taste and most nutritive value. Neither of these indicates safety. The big exception to this rule is infant formula. Because formula contains nutrients that are vital to an infant’s health and development, and nutritive quality starts to diminish over time, expired infant formula could result in malnourishment that poses a serious risk.

What To Look for Instead

Instead of looking at the date on the package, use your senses to determine whether the food is still good. Spoilage can be perceived by things like odor, flavor, color, and texture. And sometimes you can see signs of spoilage even before the expiration dates passes, particularly if a food was improperly stored (such a refrigerated food that’s kept out on the kitchen counter for too long).

Watch out for:

• Mold—this is always a surefire sign that food has gone bad. • Significant color changes. Slight browning is normal on some fruits and vegetables that have been cut up before storage, but if a food has turned a completely different color, it has likely spoiled. • Change in texture, such as softness or wrinkles. • An unpleasant odor or taste.

Say No to (Expired) Drugs

While expiration dates on food is voluntary and often serves as only a guideline, the expiration dates on medicine should be heeded, as these dates are required by the Food & Drug Administration. When it comes to drugs, these are true expiration dates—they reflect how long a medicinal product remains strong, effective, and pure as long as it is stored properly. Medicine that is past its expiration date may be ineffective or not as strong, and in worst-case situations, it might result in unintended side effects.

The Bottom Line: The sniff test works when it comes to food—and relying strictly on the “sell by” or “best by” dates you see on packages could result in unnecessary food waste, which is bad for the environment and your wallet. Make decisions based on how the food looks, smells, feels, and tastes. But when it comes to medicine, avoid the expired stuff.

GENERAL SHELF LIFE

Need an idea on how good that kitchen staple is likely to last? Here’s what the Cleveland Clinic advises when it comes to common foods you’re putting away in your fridge or pantry.

Dried grain products (rice, pasta): 2 years

Milk: 7 days

Eggs: 3–5 weeks

Raw ground meat/ poultry: 1–2 days

Lunch meat: 2 weeks (if unopened)

Tip: Store milk and eggs in the far back of your refrigerator where the temperature is the coldest.