Do Expiration Dates Really Matter?

Quick Safety Tips

Considering product dates do not provide a consumer with a true guide concerning its safety, but only the quality of a food product, here are a few quick tips from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Services. For one, individuals should purchase a food item before the expiry date labeled on it passes, and notify the store’s manager if any products are past their expiry date so it can be handled correctly. If the food purchased is perishable, such as meat, dairy, or produce, it should be taken home immediately and refrigerated or frozen appropriately. If it cannot be used before its expiry date, such as meat, it should be frozen to extend its life and quality. Once a perishable product is frozen, it doesn’t matter if the date expires as food kept frozen is considered safe to consume indefinitely. Also, consumers should follow handling recommendations on a product, as directed by the food manufacturer.

Most of the time, you can still eat food past its ‘best by’ or ‘use by’ date without noticing a change in quality or taste, but you should always use common sense when it comes to consuming food to avoid becoming ill.