2.4 KiB
+++ title = "Expiration Dates" author = ["KemoNine"] publishDate = 2024-10-19 tags = ["Information", "Safety"] draft = false layout="notes" image="raul-najera-MggK54YixfU-unsplash.jpg" imagecaption="A wooden danger sign in the woods. The image was obtained from Unsplash at https://unsplash.com/photos/photo-of-gray-danger-do-not-enter-signage-MggK54YixfUc" date="2024-10-19" AuthorName="KemoNine" AuthorURL="https://culinary.kemonine.info" notes=["Information", "Safety"] category="Side" cuisine="Simple" +++
From
https://www.foodandwine.com/sell-by-vs-use-by-8402060
Use-by date
Use-by dates suggest the peak quality of a product, and are not safety dates. According to the USDA, “With the exception of infant formula, if the date passes during home storage, a product should still be safe and wholesome if handled properly until spoilage is evident. Spoiled foods will develop an off-odor, flavor, or texture due to naturally occurring spoilage bacteria. If a food has developed such spoilage characteristics, it should not be eaten.”
Best if used by date
This label is strictly a quality date, suggesting when the product will have its best taste and texture.
Sell-by date
This label indicates to stores how long a product should remain on shelves, and products are often safe to consume well after their sell-by date passes. In fact, according to the Institute for Food Safety and Health at the Illinois Institute of Technology, "one-third of a product's shelf-life remains after the sell-by date for the consumer to use at home."
How to Store Dairy Products to Keep Them Good As Long As Possible
Freeze-by date
Think of this label as the "use-by" date but for freezing. Freezing most food products extends their life, and this date will tell you when to freeze an item at its highest quality.
Expires on/do-not use date
This label indicates that a product be ineffective after the date listed. Along with baby formula, baking ingredients like cake mixes, baking powder, and yeast may have this label.