Do Expiration Dates Really Matter?

It can be argued expiration dates are contributing to millions of pounds of wasted food per year as many individuals believe once food is past the date stamped on its package, it is automatically disgusting and unhealthy for them to consume. But is this true? Do expiration dates on food truly matter? Let’s crunch out the details and learn the real facts about expiration dates and how the food industry uses these dates compared to how consumers interpret them.

The History Behind 'Use By' Dates

Food dating first emerged in the 1970s prompted by consumer demand as many Americans were producing less of their own food but still wished to know where their food was coming from and its quality. The ‘use by’ or expiration dates often found on foods simply indicate freshness and are used by food producers to communicate to consumers when the product is at its prime for consumption. This essentially means food does not expire or becomes inedible by a certain date.

Food Industry Terminology

‘Use by’ and ‘best’ by’ are dates intended for the consumer to use, and indicates quality, but it is not the date the producer deems when the product has reached its peak freshness, nor does it indicate when food spoils or is unsafe to eat. ‘Use by’ can also mean this is the last date the manufacturer recommends the food be consumed while it is still at peak quality. ‘Sell by’ is the date intended to help manufacturers and retailers and is a stocking and marketing tool ensuring the product receives a proper turnover or is sold quickly so they have a long shelf life after the consumer purchases it. However, many consumers misinterpret this date and base their buying decision on it, when it is not an expiry date.

The Problem With Expiration Dates

A report conducted by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), and Harvard Law School’s Food Law and Policy Clinic, concluded Americans are prematurely throwing out their food. This is mainly due to confusion over what expiration dates mean or consumers are reading manufacturing dates on the packaging, which should not be visible to them. Unfortunately, a majority of consumers mistakenly believe expiration dates on food indicate the safety of the food when truthfully, these dates are not related to the risk of an individual getting food poisoning or a foodborne illness.

According to the study, specific words such as ‘use by’ and ‘sell by’ are used inconsistently and are contributing to this misunderstanding and waste by consumers. Statistics show over ninety percent of Americans throw out food prematurely, and forty percent of the United States food supply is thrown out and unused annually due to food dating.

Can ‘Expired’ Food Make Me Sick?

When it comes to expiry dates, consumers should use common sense and determine if food is still edible based on personal standards by its feel, smell, and even taste. Yes, some foods past its date, such as poultry, milk and some dairy products, can make you sick if consumed, however, a majority of foods are usually alright to consume past their dates, at least for a little while. Study co-author and director of Harvard Food Law & Policy Clinic, Emily Broad Leib, stated quality and freshness dates are good as long as it is clearly communicated to individuals and they know what the dates mean, as she believes there should be a standard date and wording used to avoid confusion.

Leib even acknowledged that if food is consumed after its ideal quality date, it is not necessarily harmful, but consumers should be using their own judgment based on their senses. For instance, a strawberry-flavored beverage may lose its red color, or oats in a granola bar may lose their crunch, but while it may not look as appetizing, the food is still safe to eat.

Government Regulations

Considering food dating never focused on public health and food safety, but rather the quality of food, there is no federal regulation over the use of dates, although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and US Department of Agriculture (USDA) have regulatory power over product misbranding. The only nationally required and regulated food dating involves infant formula and some baby food, as the nutrients found in infant formula and food lose their nutritional value and potency over time. Most regulation for food dates occurs at the state level, as many states have implemented their own regulations to ensure food quality and safety for their citizens. For instance, some states mandate removing dairy products from store shelves once the expiry date has passed.

All states, except nine, have food dating rules, but they vary widely. This has resulted in a variety of different rules for different products. In some cases, sometimes a product needs a date, and sometimes it doesn’t, just like some products cannot be sold after a particular date, which causes consumer confusion and tons of wasted food.

Foods That You Can & Cannot Eat Past The Date

There is no doubt certain foods consumed past their expiry date can taste a little bit different or will just no longer be good. However, certain foods can indeed be eaten past their expiry date, in moderation of course, and it is best if a consumer uses their better judgment to decide if food is edible or not. For instance, eggs can be consumed three to five weeks after purchase, milk and yogurt are usually fine until a week after their date. Poultry and seafood need to be cooked or frozen within a day or two of being purchased, and beef and pork need to be cooked or frozen within three to five days of being purchased. Specific items, such as bread and cheese can be consumed past their date as well, but consumers should ensure there is no mold or any other type of fungi growing on it for it to be safe for consumption.

Fruit and vegetables vary but usually can be consumed within a week or so, but this is where an individual will need to base its quality on smell, feel, and even taste. Pantry and canned goods have a much more extensive life compared to fresh food, as highly acidic canned foods, such as tomato paste or sauce, can be kept for eighteen months or longer, and low-acidic canned foods, such as green beans, can last as long as five years. Pantry foods, such as a box of macaroni and cheese or crackers can be enjoyed months, or even a year later, and although some of the quality might have been lost, as it could now be stale, these goods are still safe to consume.

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.