It's estimated that a whopping average of 120 pounds of food
per month is thrown out by a family of four. During these hard economic times,
no one wants to throw anything away unnecessarily. Everyone is wary of the
sell-by dates that are stamped onto their food and will often throw away foods
that have just 'expired'. However, when these dates are stamped onto these
products, there is always room for error and sometimes people can eat things
past the sell-by date.
So How Long Can Foods
Be Used Past The Sell-By Dates?
 The Refrigerator:
Most refrigerated items can last a lot longer if it is cool
enough (39 degrees Fahrenheit or below). Milk can last up to a week past the
expiration date and should be the last thing you pick up before checkout.
Minimize the time it is left un-refrigerated, which can hasten spoilage. Also,
storing these items at the very back of the shelf may help reduce spoilage as
the air tends to be cooler in that area.
Yogurt can last from ten days to two weeks beyond the
expiration date. Even if the yogurt has separated, it is still good to eat as
it is a good sign that the beneficial cultures are alive and working; just stir
it back up.
Lunch meat can stay good for three to five days after the
sell-by date – but only if it has been kept sealed. It is also a good idea to
store it in the meat compartment of the refrigerator, because it is designed to
keep the cool air in. If there is visible mold or bad odors on any food that
you have in your refrigerator, throw it out!
The Freezer:
The idea that 'if you keep something in the freezer it is
good forever' is a myth. Although you can keep many foods for a fairly large
amount of time in the freezer, it must be properly set to zero degrees. Just
because these foods will be edible after long periods of time in the freezer,
it doesn't mean that the texture and flavor will stay the same. Freezers don't
kill bacteria, so make sure to cook thoroughly. Most raw meats can last up to a
year, except for ground beef which will last for three to four months. Cooked
meat will last from three to four months also.
The Pantry:
Just because some foods in your pantry don't come with
expiration dates, it doesn't mean that they will last forever. The shelf life of
pantry items depend on whether they have been opened or not. Oils will last for
about six months unopened, but only three months once opened.
Even herbs and spices will expire after six months, pending
whether they are whole or ground. Pasta, rice, and sugar can last for about a
year. Canned items, when unopened, can last between two to five years.
So while it is always a good idea to pay attention to
expiration dates, you don't have to always abide by it. Always be mindful of
the refrigerator and freezer temperatures to ensure that they are at the proper
settings for the longevity of your food items. Remember, that these expiration
date tricks are not guaranteed due to outside factors; if a food looks or
smells bad, throw it out!
Resources:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/04/18/earlyshow/health/main4953898.shtml
http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/shopping-storing/food-expiration-tool-00000000007418/index.html
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Re: What Do The “Sell-By” Dates On Food Really Mean?
