If you are like me, when you open your refrigerator, you may see some items and not remember how long they’ve been there. If I see something that’s questionable, I first look for mold. If I don’t see mold, then I smell it. If it smells okay, then I taste it. If the first taste is okay, then I devour the entire thing.
But everyone doesn’t live on the edge like me. For some people, that sounds risky. They would rather throw it away than take a chance on food poisoning.
Most food has specific approximations for storage before you toss it. The FDA Food Code says all perishable food should be discarded after seven days. They state no food should be around longer than that and some foods should be tossed even sooner in a refrigerator 40° F (or below). All food is required to have expiration dates. Refer to those for expiration specific to that food. The most effective way to kill most foodborne bacteria in food is by cooking or reheating at an adequate high temperature so the core temperature reaches at least 167°F.
A lot of food gets thrown away because of the misunderstanding of food expiration labels. There are four dating labels that are regularly put on foods:
- “Best if Used By/Before” date indicates when a product will be of best flavor or quality. It is not a purchase or safety date.
- “Sell-By” date tells the store how long to display the product for sale for inventory management. It is not a safety date.
- “Use-By” date is the last date recommended for the use of the product while at peak quality. It is not a safety date except for when used on infant formula.
- “Freeze-By” date suggests when a product should be frozen to maintain peak quality. It is not a purchase or safety date.