Understanding Food Date Labels Can Help Hoosiers Fight Waste And Hunger
While many may have never even blinked when throwing food away at home, they may now be thinking twice. Here's how to read the date labels on your food so you can decide if it's safe to eat or should be tossed.
More Than 50 Million Americans Rely on Food Assistance
Food scarcity in the United States is at an all time high, with more families than ever relying on social services like food banks and pantries. According to Feeding America, more than 50 million people in the United States relied on food assistance in 2023.
1 In 5 Children Face Food Insecurity in the United States
Across our nation, there are 47 million people facing food insecurity, and 14 million of those are children. That's 1 in every 5 children that don't have enough to eat, and according to Feed America, there is not a single county in this country that is not experiencing food insecurity.
Many Americans Are Facing Food Insecurity For the Very First Time
Those are staggering statistics, and many of those people have never experienced this kind of insecurity before. Some have never needed to know the difference between a "use by" date verses an "expiration date."
How Do You Decode The Date Codes On Your Food?
So what is the difference between a "use by" date and an "expiration date?" Or, how about a "best by" date or a "best if used by" date. It can get confusing. Fortunately, Feed Evansville has taken the time to explain what all of the food date label jargon means to make it easy to understand.
Have you ever opened your fridge, freezer, or pantry and thought to yourself, “Oh no, I forgot this was in here and now it has expired.” This normally leads to a feeling of “wasting the money you spent on that food.” Was it truly a waste or is your food still safe to eat? Manufacturing companies, and grocers, have many different labels on their food. - Feed Evansville
Dates on Food Packaging Are Not Regulate
Feed Evansville points out that with the exception of baby formula, the dates applied to food packaging by the manufacturer is not regulated. They say most food is still good well after the stamped date. If you are uncertain, check for changes in color, texture, or odor.
What is a "Best By" or "Best If Used By" Date?
This date is intended to tell the consumer how long the food is expected to have the best flavor. These foods are safe to eat past the stamped date.
What is a "Use By" or "Expiration Date"?
This is the date that the manufacturer has determined the product will still be at "peak quality." Again, the food (excluding baby formula) can still be consumed after this date.
What is a "Packing Date" or "Manufacture Date"?
This date actually has absolutely nothing to do with food safety or food quality. This is just a date that manufacturers use to track their products.
What is a "Sell By" Date?
This is intended to tell grocers and retailers how long to keep the product on the store shelves. Food is still safe to eat after this date too.
How Long Are Dairy Products and Eggs Good For After the Date?
Feed Evansville shares a breakdown on how long food is good for after the designated date. They say for things like milk, cheese and yogurt, you can expect those products to still be good up to seven days after the date. Butter, cheese, and eggs are still good up to 30 days after the date.
How Long Are Canned Goods and Frozen Foods Good For After the Date?
Canned goods like soups, fruits, and vegetables, as well as dry goods like beans, rice, pasta, and cereal can be eaten up to one year after the date. The same goes for baking goods and frozen foods. ONE WHOLE YEAR!
So before you toss out food from your fridge or pantry, know it is probably still safe to eat, and save yourself some money. Keep scrolling to find 18 substitutes for eggs that you can use for baking.
[SOURCE: Feed Evansville via Facebook]
18 Egg Substitutes for Baking
Gallery Credit: Kat Mykals