Scott Evans
Adam
Search results
Oct 30, 2019 · Many fresh or prepared foods are labeled with a “Sell-By” date as a guide for how long the item should be displayed for sale before quality deteriorates. Items are generally safe for consumption after this date, but may begin to lose flavor or eye appeal.
- Best-By Dates
- Sell-by Dates
- Use-by Dates
- How to Decide Whether to Eat Or Toss A Food
- How to Extend The Shelf Life of Foods
According to the USDA, the best-by date indicates when a food product will have the best flavor or quality. "Best-by dates are recommendations for enjoying the food product when quality is at its peak, meaning the flavor and texture will be optimal when consumed within and by these dates," says Kelly Jones MS, RD, CSSD, LDN. "Fresh foods that can s...
Sell-by dates are specific to thegrocery store and how long they can have items on the shelves and up for sale. "These are foods that should be refrigerated or frozen once they get to your kitchen, but are still safe to consume and should have good quality past the sell-by date," says Jones. Sell-by dates may be more common on eggs, as some states ...
Use-by dates representthe last day that the manufacturer recommends consuming the product for quality reasons. "Like best-by dates, this can relate to taste, texture, and even appearance of a product, but these foods can still be considered safe to consume afterwards," Jones says. However, they may not retain flavor and texture of an item consumed ...
There's no clear time frame for how long a particular food can last without spoiling. "It's safe to say 'days' but not more than a week for most refrigerated produce, months to years for canned and dry goods in the pantry, and I would say to not go past the date in the fridge for meat/fish/poultry, but they can last three months with good quality a...
Dairy and Eggs
"Don't keep your milk on the inside door of your refrigerator, but rather keep it on a shelf in the fridge because the fridge door is opened throughout the day (and sometimes left open!), and this can expedite your milk going bad," says Schapiro. If stored properly, milk should last seven days after opening. "Eggs should be stored on a shelf in the fridge, not the side door, as well," Schapiro adds. If properly stored, eggs should last for three to five weeks after the sell by date.
Poultry
Both Jones and Schapiro use the same hack with poultry: If you are not going to eat your poultry right away, put it in the freezer. "When you're ready to eat it, thaw it in the fridge, not the kitchen counter," says Schapiro. Jones recommends freezing poultry before the "best-by" date if you're not going to use it for a while. Frozen raw poultry can last in the freezer for a year, and frozen cooked poultry will last in the freezer for four months. If you have leftover poultry in the fridge, i...
Produce
You can also extend the dates for consumption of fresh produce, like leafy greens, which often degrade in quality faster. "In particular, antioxidants such as vitamin C diminish more easily over time, so I always recommend that lettuces and other packaged vegetables be stored with a paper towel in the package to absorb moisture and extend the life of the product," Jones says. Storing unfinished produce, such as half an avocado or apple, in the fridge will extend its freshness. "With avocado,...
- Isadora Baum
Apr 4, 2024 · Here's everything to know about common expiration date labels like sell by, use, by, and best by — and why they often matter less than you think.
- Lauren Breedlove
Mar 19, 2020 · Stop throwing away perfectly good food! Here's your cheat sheet to what's still good after the best-by, use-by and sell-by date—and what needs to go.
Sep 27, 2022 · “ Sell by ” dates are more for the retailer—a date by which shelved products can be sold before they need to be moved off the shelf for new products. However, none of these terms are meant to convey food safety.
May 2, 2019 · 'Sell By' and 'Best if Used By' dates on food are not legal expiration dates, but suggestions for when to use or sell the food for best quality.
Apr 8, 2022 · What's the Difference Between Expiration, Best-By, Sell-By, and Use-By Dates? Reducing food waste is critical. Understanding expiration, sell-by, best-by, use-by, and freeze-by date labels can help you do your part, as well as save you money.
