Have you ever wondered who sets the expiration dates on the food you buy in the grocery store? Many consumers conjure up an image of begoggled scientists conferring over a clipboard in their white lab coats, diligently studying the exact hour that a food turns from edible to garbage. In reality, there are no experts in protective eyewear that set rigorous standards for expiration dates, no panel of experts making informed scientific decisions about food safety. No clipboards. With the exception of baby formula (the only product that the FDA-regulated for safety and ingredient control), labeling a food product with an expiration, best by, or sell by date, is not regulated, monitored, or even required for sale.
In 1950, grocers Marks and Spencers introduced expiration dates on their products and within a few decades these dates could be found on products in stores across the country. Companies devised their own standards for dating products as suggestions meant to assist. “The dates are there to let consumers and retailers know when a product will be at its best flavor and texture, not when it will suddenly spoil,” says Dani Matthies, a corporate registered dietician. “Best by” dates only indicate when a food is past its peak quality period and many are safe to eat long past that time.
However a package’s wording can certainly be confusing to consumers as terms like “best by,” “sell by,” and “use by '' sound very similar and like they should be taken seriously. “Best if used by/before” actually indicates the date of best flavor or quality and has nothing to do with safety. A “sell-by” date is an indication to the store about how long to display the product for sale. This is used for product inventory management, and again, is not about food safety. When it comes to a “use by” date, this term is the last day recommended for use of a product while it is still at peak quality. The only “use by” date that is considered a safety issue is the one printed on infant formula.
With such confusing wording, it’s easy to see how Americans toss about $165 billion worth of food every year and 20% of the food waste is related to confusion about expiration dates, according to an estimate by the Food and Drug Administration
In reality, experts say the expiration dates on food packaging are not a deadline for food spoilage, and food can go bad before or after the date printed on the package. Proper handling, storage, and preparation of foods is more important. This handy guide lays out the FDA safety standards for refrigeration and freezing, and this illustrated storage chart details the safest way to stock your fridge.
Without a standard food product dating system, you may have to rely on your senses to gauge whether certain foods are still safe for consumption. Look out for an off odor, flavor, or texture that might mean the food has spoiled. The USDA Foodkeeper app is an excellent tool to help track how long foods can be stored safely in a pantry, refrigerator, or freezer based on the date it was bought or opened. The app can help maximize the freshness and quality of food and beverages, helping shoppers reduce their food waste.
Some grocery delivery services like Imperfect Foods understand how much edible food is discarded while still safe to eat. In an effort to cut back on waste, they’ve removed “sell by/best by/use by” dates from much of their packaging.
No one likes to waste food. Everyone knows someone who is guided by the “Eat your food! There are starving people …” mentality. By being more informed consumers we now know that a date stamped on a package can’t possibly indicate if the thing inside is safe to eat. It exists in order to help you enjoy a product at its peak, not to tell you if it’s spoiled. Sometimes, it’s even as boring as a code for invententory purposes.
When we know better, we do better. In the game of Toss or Keep?, instead of asking “is this expired?” a more informed consumer asks “Does this look fresh? Does it smell, taste, or feel off? Do I know it’s been stored safely?” Asking the right questions can keep a lot of food out of the trash.