Determine the Expiration Date for a Food Product
Determining food expiration dates can be confusing. First, there's the question over what the date on the product really stands for. Then, there's the question of how long a product is edible before it truly expires. To make sure that you are only consuming food that is still safe to eat, follow these guidelines.
Instructions
1. Pay attention to not just the date on a product, but what the date stands for. A sell-by date is the last day that a store can keep the product on its shelves, but it isn't the last day you can consume the product. A best-if-used-by date also refers to product's quality but not safety. However, a use-by date or an expiration date refers to the safety of the product. Keep in mind that these dates are suggestions and are not enforced by government regulations. (reference 1)
2. Don't put your faith strictly on the date listed on the package. If you are concerned that a certain product smells bad, or there appears to be something wrong with it, don't consume the product, even if the date on the package is good.
3. Follow U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines for how long food can be eaten safely after purchase. For example, poultry should be consumed within a day or two, while eggs can last three to five weeks. (reference 1)
4. Throw out all food that hasn't been stored properly. Once a perishable food has been left out overnight, for example, the guidelines no longer apply. It's better to not risk your health.
5. Consider what type of food you are dealing with. A piece of fruit that has gone bad may just taste bad, but a piece of chicken that has gone bad can make you ill.
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