I have to admit, I’m a stickler when it comes to expiration dates on food items. If a container of milk is even one day past its expiration date, I’ll throw it out, even if it smells fine and hasn’t soured.
It’s often been a point of contention between me and my husband who thinks food dates are guidelines and don’t have to be followed to the letter.
This past Sunday morning, I saw a very interesting news story on “CBS Sunday Morning.” It talked about food dating and how these food expiration dates can be misleading.
In the story, experts from Good Housekeeping and New York University’s Department of Nutrition, Food Studies and Public Health said many food dating guidelines are up to the manufacturer’s discretion. “Sell by” dates, “use by” dates, and “best if used by” dates are all general guidelines not hard-and-fast rules.
One tip the experts gave was concerning fresh foods. Once you open it, you have about 5-7 days before the item will go bad.
Did you know eggs will stay fresh in the coldest part of your fridge if kept in their carton for 3-5 weeks past the used by date?
I had no idea!
The experts’ advice: When it comes to judging the freshness of foods, use your senses. Does it look different? Taste different?
When in doubt, throw it out.
