BEST BUY, BEST USED BY AND EXPIRATION DATES
How long will my food last is probably a question we’ve all asked about different products. Understanding best buy, best used by, and expired timelines can help answer this question for us, keep our family healthy, AND save us money! The food dating system first began in the 1970′s as Americans began to produce less and less of their own food. However, these dates can often cause the consumer confusion resulting in waste of product and a loss of money. According to a recent report by TIME magazine (Sept 2013) words like “use by” and “sell by” are causing consumer confusion resulting in more than 40% of our food being thrown out each year.
First, let’s define what each of these mean and how they can help us when food shopping.
Best Buy Dates:
Best Buy dates also known as “Sell By” dates refer to the date recommended by the product vendor to purchase an item for the best product quality. This is not an expiration date. This does not mean that a product is no longer “good” or shouldn’t be used after the best buy date. Knowing this information can help us save money for our families. Often we can find items with “best buy” dates approaching in the bargain bin when we shop.
Best Used By Dates:
Is a product “bad” if it is past it’s Best Used By date? Not necessarily. Clearly the product is past the manufactures suggested timeline to have this product used, yet that doesn’t mean that the product is “bad” and should be discarded from our pantry. There are several factors we’ll want to keep in mind. The type of product- Is this a product that is inclined to going rancid? Is the product a whole food item that has not yet been processed? How has the product been stored? For example was it refrigerated, kept in a cool dry place, has it been opened? What is the appearance of the product- Is there discoloration, a noticeable change in the product, or any signs of odor? All of these considerations should help us decide if a product is still good to use.
Expiration Dates:
According to the US Food Safety and Inspection department, in most cases expiration dates are not a federal regulation, but may be required by individual states. Infant formula would be an exception to this and is required by federal law to have an expiration date. We can understand just how expiration dates and the food dating system can easily become confusing for the consumer. There is no universal and uniform method for dating our food products. Dates vary from supplier, state, and product. So how do we make clear sense out of these dates? Consider this, expiration dates are typically used as the date on a product when the nutrient content of that product can no longer be guaranteed. It doesn’t mean it’s “bad” but it definitely means it is something we should pay attention to before using. Use your senses to help you determine if an item is still good. Does the product have an “off” smell? Does the product look bad, discolored? Has the texture of the product changed, is it slimy? Keep in mind some products can fool our senses! Always take steps to be safe with your food!
In conclusion, there is a careful balance between not being wasteful and also making that hard call to toss a product because we aren’t sure. The best way to keep from being in this position is to have a good system of food rotation at home. Be aware of what you have stocked in your freezer, refrigerator, and pantry. Use items as you buy them. Always restock your shelves from the back. For example: Don’t place a just purchased item on the front of the shelf place it behind the others you’ve already stocked up. Lastly, Only purchase what you really use! If you buy a new ingredient and realize it’s not for your families liking pass it on to a friend to share then. Don’t put it back on the shelf for “someday”. These products are often discarded when they could have been shared. If you’ve taken all necessary precautions and still don’t know if a product is good to use, I suggest error on the side of caution! I would rather be safe than sorry. Don’t risk your health or your families health!
If you need products to help you keep your products stored properly, make sure you check out our store with affordable food grade storage buckets, gamma lids, oxygen absorbers, and more!
To read more about expiration dates and the Food Safety and Inspection Departments report, you may visit this page.