Do Expiration Dates Really Matter?

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.