When was the last time you threw away food because it “expired” before you enjoyed it?
So we turned to the experts to find out how long you can (or should) eat food after its expiration date, but first, we must determine exactly what the expiration date is. eat this“.
What is the definition of an expiration date?
These date claims are often regulated by none but the food brands themselves.
“The FDA does not require manufacturers to put expiration dates or use dates on food products other than infant formula,”
says FDA press officer Deborah. Some state and local agencies require expiration dates on certain food labels, but most Often, manufacturers voluntarily include expiration dates or use dates.
Confusion about these dates causes 90 percent of people to waste completely safe food,
says a survey by the American Food Marketing Institute, with common causes including soup, eggs, dairy, cereal and bread.
Is it safe to eat expired food?
Since there is no clear definition of the expiration date, the New York City dietitian explains, Brooke Albert ,, that you can trust your intuition: “The rule of thumb to follow is to use your senses;
if something smells, feels, tastes, or looks bad, it probably is, if you’re not sure, always be careful. To avoid foodborne illness.
If the product is stored properly, it should last beyond the date listed on the packaging There is a lot of food waste in this country and it is sad how much good food gets tossed in the trash.
How to extend the life of food?
Keep prepackaged items and canned goods in cool dry storage, average shelf life of six months to one year.
Buy fresh items like produce and dairy in smaller quantities and more regularly, such as weekly, so you can use them up faster to avoid spoilage.
Meal plan to reduce food waste. This way, you will only buy what you need for the meals you will be preparing.
General Freshness Guidelines
Once food arrives in your home, it’s good for a certain length of time. This guideline is an estimate. Around 90% of people in the U.S. don’t understand expiration dates on food labels.
They throw away food that is still good or could be frozen for later.
Your food may be good for slightly more or less time based on how your store it:
Milk is good for 7 days in your fridge. Store it in the back of your fridge for the coldest temperatures.
Eggs are good for 3 to 5 weeks. Like milk, you should store eggs in the back of your fridge.
Ground meat and poultry are good for 1 or 2 days in your fridge. If you plan to use it later, freeze it right away.
Cooked meat and poultry are good for 3 to 4 days when stored in your fridge.
Lunch meat is good for 2 weeks before it’s opened and 3 to 5 days after it’s opened.
Dry rice or pasta is good for 1 to 2 years in your pantry. Once prepared, it’s good for 3 to 4 days in your fridge.
Steaks are good for 3 to 5 days in your fridge.
Canned fruit is good for 12 to 18 months in your pantry. Once opened, it’s good for 5 to 7 days if stored in the fridge.
Avoid Wasting Food
You may feel tempted to throw away food after it passes its expiration date. Many people think that food makes them sick after the expiration date.
Foodborne illnesses are not a result of natural decay. Bacteria grow in contaminated food, so make sure you store food properly.
If food sits out at room temperature for longer than 2 hours, throw it away.
After preparing a meal, store leftovers quickly to avoid contamination. You can also keep your counters and food prep surfaces clean and free of harmful bacteria.
If you don’t plan to use food right away, freeze it. Bacteria can’t grow in freezing temperatures, so freezing extends your food’s shelf life. You can freeze milk, bread, and cheese. If you plan to freeze eggs, beat them first and store them in a sealed container.
Extend the life of your produce with better storage techniques. Examples include:
Wrapping broccoli stalks in a damp paper towel
Storing celery in aluminum foil
Putting asparagus in a cup with water
When the time comes to dispose of any food you didn’t eat, you can compost produce and packaged
foods like bread. Composting is like recycling because you put your food to use instead of throwing it away.
Buy frozen fruits and vegetables to avoid throwing away produce that spoils before you can use them.
Stock your pantry with healthy dried products like quinoa, black rice, dried lentils, and low-sodium beans so you have staples on hand whenever you need them..