Food Expiration Dates – What Do They Mean?
jyotsana raoBE 
Experience: 4 yearsJyotsana Rao is an engineering graduate from NIT, Nagpur, who discovered her love for writing during her undergraduate days. She is passionate about writing about everything related to beauty - makeup... more
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We usually tend to check the expiry date or best before date before using any packaged food item because consuming expired products might affect our health negatively. But what if we tell you that you had it wrong all along?
The dates mentioned in the packaged food items have a different meaning. Let’s find out the meaning of each date:
Sell By Or Open Date: The Open Date on a food product is an indication of how long that product can be kept on display for sale. This date is actually a guide for the retailers so that they know when to pull the item from sale.
Best Before Or Best If Used By: Some products have a Use By label on the product along with a date mentioned next to it. The mentioned date beside Best Before is not an indication that the product will be inedible after that date, or you cannot buy that product after the mentioned date. The manufacturer of the product determines this date, and it means that if you wish to have the best quality of this product, use it before the mentioned date. Even if you use the product after the date is crossed, the product would be still edible, if stored in proper condition. For example, even if you consume sour cream after the date mentioned on ‘Best If Used By’ the taste would be the same, but it’s just that it will not be as fresh as it is supposed to be.
But, for infant formula, do not use the product after it crosses that date.
Pack Date Coded Or Closed Date: You can find Pack Date on packaged goods or canned products. This date indicates the packing number that is used by manufacturers. It might be in a tricky format or in the form of a code, but it is usually in the MMDDYY format or according to the Julian Calendar.
Guaranteed Fresh Date: This date, usually mentioned on bakery items, promises the freshness of the product. The item can still be consumed, but it is not as fresh as it supposed to be if it crosses that date.
So, how do we know if a product is safe to consume or not? Here are some basic rules that you must keep in mind:
- Milk: It is ok to have it even one week after the Sell By date.
- Seafood: It is better to cook them fresh, or you can freeze them.
- Eggs: You can eat the eggs for 3-5 weeks after the Sell By date.
- Canned Products: The foods that are highly acidic can be kept for around 18 months. Low acidic foods, such as green beans, can be stored for up to five years.
Apart from all these, try to buy products before they expire. If you wish to store them for longer, it’s better that you freeze them as soon as you bring them home.
We hope you enjoyed reading this article. If you have any doubts or queries, post them in the comments section below.
