As mentioned in last week’s article, September is National Food Safety Month. Last week, we talked about getting food home safely from the grocery store and storing food safely in your refrigerator. Did you also know that it’s important to check the dates on all your food packages? Use the food dating stamps on packaging to know when to keep or when to toss. There are several stamps to be aware of.
Use-By:
This means you need to use the food before the date has passed. Toss the food after the date has passed.
Exp. or Expiration:
Use the food before the date has passed. Toss the food after the date has passed. Exception: Eggs can be used 3-5 weeks AFTER the expiration date.
Sell-By:
Use before or shortly after the date has passed in home storage; Foods close to their sell-by date are sometimes put on sale or markdown at the store. This is primarily for perishable foods. DO NOT buy from the store after the date has passed.
Best is used by/before:
This means you should use before or shortly after the date has passed in proper home storage. Toss a few days after the date has passed; if not stored properly, toss sooner. This date is recommended for best flavor or quality. It is not a purchase or safety date.
Other Reminders:
– You should ALWAYS toss any prepackaged produce and infant formula after the date has passed regardless of the phrase used on the packaging.
– Always follow FIFO principles. FIFO stands for “First In First Out”. When storing foods, make sure the dating stamps are clearly visible. Store foods with the earliest “expiration” or “use-by” dates in front of products with later dates. This procedure will ensure that the oldest foods will be used first. This includes refrigerated, frozen, and dry food.
– All refrigerated leftovers must be consumed within 7 days or less from the day the food was prepared or opened as long as the date does not exceed the use by date from the manufacturer.
– If you ever have a question regarding the freshness or safety of a food item, remember the saying “when in doubt, throw it out!” It’s always better to be safe than sorry!
For more information about food dating stamps or food safety, please contact Kim Miles, County Extension Agent – Family & Consumer Sciences at 325-646-0386 or [email protected].