- Many food labels, such as “best by” or “sell by” dates, refer to food quality and not safety.
- The only food product in the U.S. legally required to have an expiration date is infant formula.
- Consumers should throw away food that is slimy, moldy, or has a foul smell.
- Dented or bulging cans of food could be a sign of contamination and should be discarded.
Have you pulled a can of chili from your kitchen cabinet only to notice the expiration date passed three months ago? Or have you combed through the jars of applesauce on the grocery store shelf to find the one with the “use by” date that’s farthest out?
According to a University of Georgia food safety expert, those labels and dates don’t necessarily mean that it’s time to throw it away.
It’s that confusion that is a contributing factor to 30% to 40% of the U.S. food supply being wasted, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
A portion of that waste stems from consumer misunderstanding of food labels, said Carla Schwan, an assistant professor in UGA’s College of Family and Consumer Sciences, to the UGA Cooperative Extension Service.
“The ‘use by’ date is for consumers, indicating when the manufacturer believes the product will be at its best,” Schwan said in the article published b UGA Today. “That doesn’t mean if you eat it a day or two later, you’ll get sick. You might just notice changes in texture, taste or freshness.”
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Expiration dates marked as “expires on” are rare in the U.S., it but should be followed. Canned goods that are stored properly are safe after the “sell by” date, she said. “Freeze by” dates indicate when it should be frozen to maintain its optimal quality. In other words, it prevents spoilage.
Schwan said there’s no U.S. or globally accepted food-dating system for labeling, except for baby formula. That basically leaves it up to the consumer to figure out if a product is safe to eat. But there some guidelines:
- Best By/Best Used By: Refers to quality, not safety. The food may not taste as fresh after this date, but it’s still safe to eat.
- Use By: Found on perishable items like meat, yogurt and eggs, this label indicates peak quality. In most cases, a one-week grace period applies if stored properly.
- Sell By: This tells stores how long to display the product. Food is usually still safe for several days to weeks after this date if stored correctly.
- Expiration Date: In the U.S., the only food legally required to have an expiration date is infant formula.
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But there are clear signs when food should be discarded. If it stinks, is slimy or moldy, throw it out.
While freezer burn isn’t harmful, it will affect the taste and texture of food.
If cans of food are bulging or dented, it could mean contamination. Throw it out.
The USDA has a fee digital app that has storage guidelines to help consumers determine how long their food is fresh and safe to eat. To learn more about it, visit www.foodsafety.gov/keep-food-safe/foodkeeper-app.
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