At Home with Lora

I often get questions like “is this safe to eat” or “should I throw this out” concerning different types of food products.  So let’s look at the different wording manufacturers may use to help you keep food at its best quality. 

Many food packages have a date on them, along with the words “sell by,” “best if used by” or “use by.” This information can be confusing. Does it mean that the food is unsafe to eat if the date has passed? Do you need to throw it away? Most often, the answer to those questions is “No.” “Sell by,” “best by,” and “use by” dates are used to ensure good food quality. They are not safety dates.

A “sell by” date tells the store how long to display the product for sale. You should buy the product before that date. If the food is perishable (refrigerated in the store), you should take it home and refrigerate it right away. How long a perishable food can be safely stored in your refrigerator depends on the type of food. Fresh raw poultry, ground meat, sausages and organ meats should be cooked or frozen within 1-2 days of the “sell by” date. Other fresh raw meats can be safely stored in the refrigerator for 3-5 days after that date; eggs for 3-5 weeks after you purchase them. Unopened packages of cured meats like bacon, hot dogs or luncheon meat can be safely stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks after the “sell by” date.

A “best if used by” date is recommended by the manufacturer for best flavor or quality. It is not a safety date. You should try to use the food before that date for best quality.

A “use by” date is the last date recommended for the use of the product. It is determined by the manufacturer, based on quality. Even if the date expires during home storage, the food should be safe to eat if it has been handled properly. However, the quality may not be as good. You should try to use the food before the “use by” date.

Canned or other shelf-stable foods may be stamped with a “can code”, a series of letters and/or numbers. Can codes are for the manufacturers’ use and are not meant to be “use by” dates for consumers. Properly stored canned foods should be safe indefinitely, as long as they are not exposed to freezing or high temperatures and the cans are not dented, swollen or rusted. However, the quality will decrease with time. High-acid canned foods (tomatoes, fruits) will keep their best quality for 12 to 18 months; low-acid canned foods (meats, vegetables) for 2 to 5 years.

For safety and best quality, always follow the handling recommendations on food packages. Arrange your cupboards and refrigerator in “first in, first out” order and try to use the oldest foods first.

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Contact Lora Pullin, Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences in Greenup County at 606-836-0201 or lora.pullin@uky.edu.  (Source Debbie Clouthier)  Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin.