How many times have you thrown out food in your fridge or pantry because it was past the date stamped on the package?Chances are you’ve tossed perfectly safe-to-eat food: that printed date does NOT mean the date you should get rid of a product. In fact, the “sell by,” “use by,” and “best before/by” dates come with your packaged food have almost nothing to do with food safety, nor are they they only factors to consider when it comes to the freshness and quality of a product. Greatist published this infographic to help you determine the best storage timelines and conditions for your groceries:
Remember, the best way to ensure that your food is safe to eat is proper storage. Your refrigerator should be at or below 40° F and your freezer should be at 0°. Don’t let perishable food sit for too long once you bring it home from the grocery store–a couple of hours in the temperature danger zone (41°F – 140°F) gives bacteria ample opportunity to multiply and cause food-borne illness if the item is consumed. Use the printed dates as a guide and trust your judgment. Head over to Greatist for more food storage and safety tips.
Nicole is an NYU graduate with a degree in Media, Culture & Communication and a Food Studies minor. She loves food and is always looking for ways to make "unhealthy" dishes better. She's a dancer, theater kid and Jersey girl with a soft spot for superheroes, video games and cult TV shows. Email her at [email protected] with any questions or comments about the site, or to get her opinion on why shows like Arrested Development and Flight of the Conchords should never have been cancelled.
http://www.wholeisticallyfit.com Ali @ WHOLEistically Fit
Love this infographic. I definitely eat certain foods past their stated “sell by” dates and they are perfectly fine. In fact, it’s a great way to get some awesome deals at the supermarket because they will often significantly mark down the price of foods with a “sell by” date that is about to expire.
http://www.healthywaytocook.com Nicole
So true! As long as you’re planning on using it right away, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with buying something that’s about to “expire.”
