Out of date food | What that label really means

Introduction

Everyone is naturally concerned about out of date food, and of course, you want to have the best quality food for your family. However, to save money, many people often turn to out of date food that is perfectly safe and fine to eat, and doesn't cause any harm to your precious family. Here are some tips about what those out of date food labels really mean, and whether your best before, or use by date needs to be carefully adhered to, or is just a guide for your well-being.

Understanding Out of Date Food Labels

The best before and use by labels are meant to tell supermarkets and retailers how long is the best period to keep items on shelves. According to the Department of Agriculture in the USA, these are NOT safety dates; they are actually only estimates of when the product is best suitable to eat.

Best Before vs. Use By Dates

So what does this mean for your decision to eat or not eat out of date food?

Best Before Date

The "Best Before" date is a guideline for when the product will be at its peak quality. It does not necessarily mean that the food is unsafe to consume after this date. Many products, especially dry goods, canned foods, and non-perishables, are often still good well past their best before dates. You can rely on your senses – look, smell, and taste – to judge whether such items are still consumable.

Use By Date

The most important label is "Use By," which provides the best clue for freshness. If the use by date is expired, then throw that out of date food away immediately! Don't delay one minute! Once that food is use by expired, it's unsafe for you to eat and we certainly don't want you to have any adverse health effects!

Are Out of Date Food Labels Mandatory?

Out of date food labeling is not even mandatory in all USA states! The only out of date mandatory labeling in the USA is for baby food and infant formula. For all other products, it is optional in some USA states. Sometimes you just have to use your senses to get the best feel for whether food is safe to eat or not. (Well, that's what they did in the old days at least...) If you store your food carefully, you can make the food last for weeks after purchase and still be safe to eat.

Safety Tips for Out of Date Food

• Storage: Keep your food stored in a cool, dry place and refrigerate perishable items promptly.
• Inspection: Always check for signs of spoilage such as off smells, discoloration, and mold.
• Freezing: Freezing can extend the life of many foods beyond their use by dates.

Benefits of Consuming Out of Date Food

• Cost Savings: Buying food that is near or just past its best before date can save you money.
• Reduced Waste: Consuming out of date food that is still safe helps reduce food waste, which is environmentally beneficial.

Risks of Consuming Out of Date Food

• Health Hazards: Eating food past its use by date can pose health risks, including foodborne illnesses.
• Quality Loss: The quality of the food, including its taste and texture, may deteriorate after the best before date.

How to Handle Out of Date Food

• Donating: Non-perishable items that are past their best before date but still good can be donated to food banks.
• Composting: Spoiled food can be composted to reduce waste and benefit your garden.

Buying and Selling Out of Date Food

If you want to buy or sell out of date food - get in touch! We buy and sell out of date food every day. We always ensure that it is safe to eat, and a lot of the time the food is actually still in date, but it is short-dated food. Let us know if you have bulk out of date food for us to buy from you, or if you want to purchase out of date food from our extensive range.

FAQs

What is the difference between the best before and use by dates? The best before date indicates the period when the food is at its best quality, while the use by date is a safety guideline indicating when the food should no longer be consumed.

Is it safe to eat food after the best before date? Yes, it is generally safe to eat food after the best before date if there are no signs of spoilage. Use your senses to check for any off smells, discoloration, or mold.

Why are use by dates important? Use by dates are important because they indicate the last date the food is considered safe to consume. Consuming food past this date can pose health risks.

Are out of date food labels mandatory in the USA? Out of date food labeling is only mandatory for baby food and infant formula in the USA. For other products, it is optional in some states.

How can I make food last longer? Proper storage, refrigeration, and freezing can extend the life of many foods. Keeping food in a cool, dry place and using airtight containers can also help.

Can I donate food past its best before date? Yes, non-perishable items that are still in good condition can often be donated to food banks, even if they are past their best before date.

Conclusion

Understanding out of date food labels can help you make informed decisions about your food consumption, saving you money and reducing waste without compromising safety. Always prioritize your health by adhering to use by dates and using your senses to judge the quality of food past its best before date.