Is your expired food actually expired?

This post first appeared in our weekly Make Waves Mondays email series on March 2, 2020.

Best by.
Use by.
Sell by.

These terms are stamped all over the foods we consume on a daily basis, but what do they really mean?

Did you know that in the United States alone, over 12% of households are food insecure, yet we throw away nearly one-third of all edible food produced.

These numbers just don’t add up for me.

There are many ways to reduce our food waste, first and foremost being to simply buy less. But once that food is in our fridge or our pantry, what do we do with all of those expiration dates?

First, we must learn what these dates mean. Because we’ve been bamboozled and all expiration dates are not actually the same.

Best by dates indicate the date by which the manufacturer believes their product to be of the best quality. It does not indicate safety.

Use by dates indicate the date by which the manufacturer recommends to use their product while still at its peak quality. It does not indicate safety, with the exception of infant formula.

Sell by dates are not even meant for consumer use. These dates from the manufacturer tell the grocery store when to rotate and restock their shelves. It does not indicate safety.

There’s a trend here... All of these dates are determined by the manufacturer, and with the exception of infant formula, do not indicate the safety of the food item.

Manufacturers want you to believe your food has gone bad sooner so you buy more sooner. More money in their pockets. No, thank you!

What’s even crazier is expiration dates aren’t regulated by the federal government. The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service even clearly states that most food is still safe to consume after the expiration date has passed!

That’s right. Bamboozled.

So now you may be staring at your screen thinking to yourself, “But, Krystina, how am I supposed to know if my food is safe to eat?”

Excellent question, friend.

Look at it. Smell it. Is it moldy? Is it off-colored? Does it smell bad? The only true way to tell if food has spoiled is to actually check for yourself.

Fun fact: According to the Food Safety and Inspection Service, even off-colored meat and poultry isn’t always a sign of spoilage.

Food items past their expiration date can even still be donated! If a grocery store or restaurant can no longer sell the items to their customers, they can still donate to a local food bank. It is a common misconception that expired food cannot be donated, but it is simply not true.

For a lighthearted look at this serious topic, I highly recommend the below episode of Adam Ruins Everything. It is absolutely worth a watch. Under 5 minutes and packed full of truth nuggets and humor.

So, friend, take a look around your fridge. Are there items you would normally toss based on their date? Take a good look at it. Is it actually expired, or does the manufacturer just want you to think it is?

It’s time to break up with expiration dates. Will you join me?

P.S. Our Veggie Saver Bags keep even the trickiest of produce fresh for WEEKS. Grab a few for your fridge to extend the life of your produce even more.