Quck answer
Expiration dates for food are determined through a combination of scientific testing, industry standards, and regulatory guidelines. These dates are set to ensure food safety and maintain product quality. Manufacturers conduct stability tests to determine how long a product will remain safe and retain its desired attributes. These tests consider factors like storage conditions, packaging, and the presence of preservatives. Regulatory agencies, such as the FDA, may also provide guidelines for expiration dates. It’s important to note that expiration dates are not always indicators of food spoilage or safety. Proper storage and handling can extend the shelf life of many foods beyond their expiration dates.
Have you ever accompanied someone to the grocery store? Did you assist in selecting meat, milk, eggs, bread, or apples? If you paid close attention, you might have noticed a specific date stamped on these items. What are we referring to? Expiration dates, of course!
Many people find expiration dates to be very useful. When shopping, most individuals try to purchase food items with expiration dates that are further in the future. They believe that this gives them more time to consume the food before it goes bad. However, there is a great deal of confusion surrounding the actual meaning of expiration dates. How are these dates determined?
There is no universal process for establishing expiration dates. Instead, food manufacturers and retailers determine these dates according to their own discretion. They may consider various factors, such as the characteristics of the specific food item and its packaging. The storage temperature of the food is also an important factor to consider.
But what happens when a food item reaches its expiration date? Does it spoil? Should it be discarded? Is it safe to consume food past its expiration date?
Most of the time, food is safe to eat after its expiration date, as long as there are no other signs of spoilage. In fact, most expiration dates are not intended to indicate the exact date on which food will spoil. Instead, they serve as general guidelines for how long the items will maintain their quality.
For instance, a bag of chips that is five days past its “Use by” date may not be as crispy as before. Fruits and vegetables with “Freeze by” dates should be frozen by those dates in order to preserve their taste. And “Sell by” dates? Those are determined by retailers to indicate how long products should remain on the shelves. None of these dates imply that the food is unsafe after a certain point, except for baby formula, which loses its nutritional value after the “Use by” date.
How can people determine if their food is still good beyond its expiration date? Experts agree that it is best to rely on your senses. In most cases, spoiled food will have a bad smell and taste. Many items will also exhibit visible changes if they have gone bad. Spoiled foods may develop mold or change colors. If any of these signs are present, the food should not be consumed.
Many people misunderstand expiration dates and dispose of food after the printed date without checking for any signs of spoilage. This significantly contributes to the issue of food waste. Experts estimate that Americans discard 30-40 percent of the food they purchase. Of course, some food waste is inevitable due to actual spoilage. However, properly inspecting food for spoilage instead of solely relying on expiration dates can help reduce waste.
That carton of milk sitting in the refrigerator? Give it a good sniff before throwing it away! Often, milk is still usable for up to a week after its printed expiration date. The same goes for many other foods, especially those that are canned or frozen. When it comes to food safety, trust your senses!
Give It a Try
Seek assistance from an adult to continue learning through the activities provided below.
- Do you have any leftover food at home? Don’t let it go to waste! Transform brown bananas into delicious banana bread. Have stale bread? Use it to make tasty French toast! You can also turn unused tortillas into homemade tortilla chips. Remember to ask an adult for help with these recipes.
- Ask a friend or family member to take you to the grocery store. While there, take a close look at the expiration dates on various products. What do you observe? Do some items have expiration dates that are much closer than others? Why do you think this is the case? If possible, speak to a store employee to gather more information about expiration dates.
- Imagine that a friend has asked you for advice on how to reduce food waste. Research more about this issue and then create a letter or poster explaining ways that anyone can contribute to reducing food waste. Make sure to include information about why it is important to address this problem.
Sources of Wonder
- https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/food-safety-fact-sheets/food-labeling/food-product-dating/food-product-dating (accessed on 20 Nov. 2019)
- https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/confused-date-labels-packaged-foods (accessed on 20 Nov. 2019)
- https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/sell-and-best-dates-food-are-basically-made-hard-get-rid-180950304/ (accessed on 20 Nov. 2019)
- https://www.consumerreports.org/food-safety/how-to-tell-whether-expired-food-is-safe-to-eat/ (accessed on 20 Nov. 2019)
- https://www.usda.gov/foodwaste/faqs (accessed on 20 Nov. 2019)
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