Revealing the subtle differences in expiration dates

Is “best if used by” actually an expiration date?

My friend, Janice, asked me that last week. I knew I had talked about it before and told her I’d dig it up for her. When I found it, I thought you or your friends might find it useful too.

So for Janice — and any other slightly baffled grocery shoppers — here are five food safety tips I borrowed from a Business Week article titled “The Truth About Food Expiration Dates.”

1) “Sell by” is generally a guide for grocers (potentially confusing for shoppers who might regard it as an expiration date)

2) “Best if used by” or “best before” usually refers to optimum food flavor or quality–it’s not necessarily an indication that the food will be spoiled on or shortly after that date

3) “Use by” is an expiration date–if the date has passed, pass on it

4) Milk products generally stay fresh for up to five days after their “sell by” date–provided they’re properly refrigerated

5) Eggs store very well–refrigerated eggs are usually good for more than a month after their “sell by” date

To Your Good Health,

Jenny Thompson

Source:
“The Truth About Food Expiration Dates” Pallavi Gogoi, Business Week, 10/1/07, businessweek.com