What is the Purpose of Expiration Dates on Food?

Expiration dates are often viewed as a mystery. Many people are unsure of what they mean and whether or not it is safe to eat food after the expiration date. In this blog post our custom printing company Quadra Flex will clarify the topic, explaining what expiration dates really indicate and which foods are still safe to eat after their expiration date. 

Understanding these things can help reduce food waste and ensure that you're only eating fresh, delicious food.

Food Expiration Dates Guidelines

According to the USDA, food expiration dates refer to food quality, not food safety. Here are the food expiration dates explained.

1. The "Sell by" date tells the store how long to display the product for sale. You should buy the product before this date expires.
2. "Best if used by (or before)" date is recommended for the best flavor or quality. It is not a purchase or safety date.
3. The "Use by" date is the last date recommended for the use of the product while at peak quality. The date has been determined by the manufacturer of the product."

The Difference Between "Use By" and "Sell By" Dates

The main difference between "use by" and "sell by" dates is that the former refers to when a product will be at its best, while the latter has more to do with when stores should sell or remove products from shelves. In other words, you can still eat something after its "use by" date, but it might not taste as good as it would have on an earlier day.

How to Tell if Food is Still Good After the Expiration Date?

If a food has an expiration date of Oct 20 but was packaged on Sept 15, it will still be safe to eat on Oct 20, but may not taste as fresh as it would have if you had eaten it on Sept 15th

The following are some general tips for telling if food is still good after its expiration date:

1. Check for signs of spoilage such as mold, unusual smells, and weird colors.
2. If canned goods are swollen or dented, throw them out.
3. Be extra cautious with meat and poultry, and only keep them for a couple of days after the expiration date.
4. Use your common sense! If something looks or smells bad, don't eat it.

Foods That are Safe to Eat After the Expiration Date

Milk

Expiration dates on food such as dairy products are a general guideline. Milk, for example, is usually safe to drink 1-2 days after the expiration date. Cheese can last up to two weeks past the expiration date if it is unopened and stored properly in the fridge. However, if cheese is already opened, it should be consumed within five days.

Butter

Butter has a longer shelf life than other dairy products and can last up to six months past the expiration date if unopened and stored in the fridge. If the butter is already opened, it should be used within three months.

Yogurt

Yogurt generally lasts one to two weeks past the expiration date, but this also depends on how it was stored. If yogurt was kept in the fridge door where temperatures fluctuate, it will expire sooner than if it was stored towards the back of the fridge where it’s colder.

Eggs

Eggs are another food product with a variable expiration date. Unrefrigerated eggs can last anywhere from two to five weeks, while refrigerated eggs can last four to five weeks or even longer if they are frozen. The USDA advises that you should not eat eggs that have been out of refrigeration for more than two hours as they may have been contaminated with bacteria like salmonella.

When it comes to hard-boiled eggs, they can last one week in the fridge whether they are shelled or not shelled. If you want them to last even longer, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four weeks or freeze them for up to 12 months.

Bread

Bread typically expires quicker than other foods since it doesn’t contain preservatives as many packaged goods do. Unopened bread stored at room temperature will usually only last for about a week before mold starts to form on it. But if you store bread in the freezer instead of on the countertop, it can last three to six months before going bad.

Foods That are Not Safe to Eat After the Expiration Date

Expired meat and poultry can contain harmful bacteria that can cause serious illness. Symptoms of food poisoning may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. If you think you may have eaten expired meat or poultry, contact your doctor immediately.

Seafood

Seafood is highly perishable and can go bad quickly after the expiration date. Eating bad seafood can cause vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain. In severe cases, it can lead to paralysis or even death. If you think you may have eaten bad seafood, contact your doctor immediately.

Canned food

If canned food has been preserved properly, it can be consumed even after its expiration date. However, if the canned food shows signs of spoilage (such as a bad smell or mold), it should be discarded.

Conclusion

Whether you're a startup or a large organization that requires our services, Quadra Flex will work with you. We can handle orders of different quantities, from 100 labels to 250,000 labels. Are you concerned about your product's expiration date? Quadra Flex can help you with all of your labeling needs. We use the latest technology to create labels that are both accurate and durable. Contact us today to learn more about our services.

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