Has My Food Expired Yet?

Have you ever wondered whether food expiration dates really matter or not, or does the food really should not be consumed after the expiration date?? In reality labeling food expiration date is voluntary and not mandatory. In U.S federal law the only items that should be labeled for expiration dates are infant formulas and some baby foods.

Learn the lingo of Expiration dates:

"Expiration Date": refers to the last day of a food should be eaten or used, however, some food could still safe for consumption few days ahead.

"Sell by": tells the store how log to display a product. The issue is quality of the item (freshness, taste, and consistency) rather than whether it is on the verge of spoiling. The date is the last day the items at its highest freshness, but it still edible for some time after.

"Best if used by (or before)"/ "Use by": refers strictly to the quality of the item not the safety. Sour cream, for instance, is already sour, but can have a zippier, fresh taste when freshly sour.

"Guaranteed fresh": it used usually for bakery goods, they still edible after the date, but not at their peak of freshness.

Handle your food smartly:

Milk: is good until a week after the expiration date
Yogurt: is good 1-2 weeks after the expiration date.
Eggs: good for 3-4 weeks assuming they were bought before sell by date
Poultry and Seafoods: should be cooked within 2 days or can be frozen up to 3-4 months.
Canned food: Highly acidic food such tomato sauce can be kept up to 18 months. Low acidic food such canned green beans, they are risk free and can be kept up to 5 years. However, this is applicable in case of unopened cans that are stored in day, dark place. Humidity is a factor that speeds up the process of spoilage.