Is That Still Edible? How to Decode Expiration Dates

I am a little obsessive about expiration dates in my house.  When the milk says 03/10/2013 I throw it out that morning.  I don’t smell it to see if it has soured, I don’t taste a sip to see if it tastes perfectly fine, but rather, I pour it down the drain and open a new jug.  For years I have heard that some things are just fine to consume after the expiration date and so I have researched this belief a little further.

After talking it over with my sister (who has a lot of experience with this) and doing some of my own research, this is what I have found. The specific term "expiration date" refers to the last date a food should be eaten or used. Last means last or in other words eat at your own risk.

Other, commonly found terms on food are:

·         "Sell by" date. The labeling "sell by" tells the store how long to display the product for sale. You should buy the product before that date. This is basically a guide for the retailer, so the store knows when to pull the item. The "sell by" date is basically saying this is the last day the item is at its highest level of quality, but it will still be edible for some time after.

·         "Best if used by (or before)" date. This refers strictly to quality, not safety. This date is recommended for best flavor or quality.

·         "Guaranteed fresh" date. This usually refers to bakery items or prepackaged salad mixes. They will still be edible after the date, but will not be at the peak of freshness.

·         "Use by" date. This is the last date recommended for the use of the product while at peak quality. The date has been determined by the manufacturer of the product.

·         "Pack" date. You will find this one on canned or packaged goods, and as a rule, usually looks like a code on the product.

Some of the following suggestions are from the USDA.USDA Food Product Dating  Also keep in mind that your refrigerator temperature should remain between 38-40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Eggs- Good for 3-5 weeks after purchase (as long as you bought them before the “sell by” date), but keep in mind that eggs should always be kept in their original container, not the plastic holders inside the refrigerator door. The plastic doesn’t allow eggs to breathe, which will cause them to spoil faster.

Yogurt/Cottage Cheese/Sour Cream-Good for 2-3 weeks after the “sell by” date, provided no mold starts to form.   

Milk-Believe it or not, is usually good up until a week after the “sell by” date. (The sniff test still might be a good way to determine edibility.)

Mayonnaise-Unopened it will keep indefinatly. Opened it is good for 2-3 months from “Sell By” date (after this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume).

Canned Vegetables/Fruit and Soups- Highly acidic foods like tomato sauce can be kept for 18 months or more. Low-acid foods like canned green beans/fruits are generally okay for up to five years.  Canned goods should be stored between 50 and 70 degrees F. Rusty, bulging, dented or otherwise damaged cans should be tossed (even if it is before expiration date.)

Peanut Butter- Good for up to three months, the oil in the peanut butter can go rancid rather fast at room temperature. 3-9 months if refrigerated. ( I have never had  my peanut butter go rancid so personally I think you should be the judge of whether or not to keep or throw it) Unopened containers can be kept until the expiration date.  

Cake/Bread/Pancake Mixes-My personal suggestion is to only keep for a month after the “expiration date” and always double check that bugs haven’t gotten inside.  There is no “rule” addressing how long these types of products can be kept and used and so my best advice is to use your best judgment.    

Other items that contain expiration dates (some surprising) include toothpaste, band aids, OTC medications and prescriptions, cosmetics, cleaning supplies, shampoo and conditioner, batteries, motor oil, fire extinguishers, paint and infant/toddler car-seats.