When shopping for groceries, an essential step to ensuring the quality of your food is being mindful of expiration dates and other labeling terms found on food product labels. It is important to be aware that these dates primarily refer to quality and not necessarily to safety. Quality refers to characteristics that are desirable of food products, such as appearance, taste, and nutritional value; on the other hand, safety refers to whether a food is safe to eat, such as being free of contaminants, bacteria, and parasites that could cause foodborne illnesses.
Critical Terms on Food Products
Stores and food manufacturers use various terms to indicate the expiration dates of their food products. Common labels utilize sell-by, best-by, and use-by to predict when the product should be at its best. Understanding these terms on labels will assist in knowing the food’s peak freshness.
- Sell-by date: This is primarily meant for retailers. It tells the last day a store should display the product on their shelves for sale. However, the food is still safe to eat after this date.
- Best-by date: This is the manufacturer’s estimate of when the product will be at its best in terms of quality, flavor, and texture. It is not an expiration date, and food can still be consumed after this date, although it may be less fresh.
- Use-by date: This is the final recommended date for consuming the product for optimal quality.
Awareness of these dates helps with several important goals: ensuring food safety, maintaining quality and taste, and reducing food waste.
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Food Safety and Quality Control
Foods can begin to lose their quality over time, deeming them unsafe, so quality control is important. Proper storage is key to extending the shelf life of products. Additionally, paying attention to changes in appearance, taste, and smell can help determine if food is safe to eat.
Because there are common foods that people waste before their expiration dates, there are guidelines available to estimate how long a product is good for before expiration. For example, eggs should be eaten within 3-5 weeks when refrigerated. Milk should be consumed within 1 week when stored in the fridge and within 2 months if frozen. Dry rice or pasta can last 1-2 years in a pantry, while prepared rice or pasta should be eaten within 3-4 days when refrigerated. By knowing these guidelines, you can help maintain the safety and quality of your food. It is important to note that there are exceptions to such guidelines. For instance, Horizon organic milk can stay fresh for a few weeks whereas fresh milk will need to be consumed within a week.
Reducing Waste
Misunderstanding expiration dates is a leading cause of food waste. Many people throw out food based on the date labels, even when the food is still good. Taking a little extra time to understand these dates can significantly reduce unnecessary waste. Some simple ways to cut down on food waste include extending the shelf life of leftovers with proper storage methods, keeping track of food products on hand, and avoiding overbuying. Additionally, creative ways to reduce waste and promote sustainability should be considered, such as composting or using leftovers in new recipes.
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