February 6th, 2013

What Do Food Expiration Dates Mean?

Hormel products

What Do Food Expiration Dates Mean?

They are found on thousands of products at your local grocery store. I’m talking about all those “Sell By” or “Use By” dates. What do they really mean? It’s probably not what you think, so here’s the breakdown:

  • “Expiration Date” means that. It’s the last day the food item should be eaten or used.
  • “Best if Used By (or Before)” date suggests eating the product before the date for the best possible quality.
  • “Sell-By” date suggest you buy the product before the printed date, but it doesn’t mean that product has spoiled…yet.
  • “Use-By” is self explanatory. Basically the last date to use the product at the peak of quality.

For more info, check out the USDA website. Hope this helps! 😀

Find more in : Frugal Talk




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  • Shaunna February 6, 2013, 6:20 PM

    TRUE STORY!!!!!
    Ok so 2 days ago we went grocery shopping and I bought a container of tiramisu. I ate it after my lunch yesterday. I started to feel sick and wondered what went wrong. I just bought it Soooo I looked at the date and it said 01/23/13. Wait what? OMG OMG OMG I just ate 2 week EXPIRED tiramisu. These werent chips people. This was a huge deal. I have been sick since. Went to the doctor and he told me I have to just ride it out because Im breastfeeding and didnt want to give me any antibiotics that would harm my son. Lesson learned. READ THE DATE CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU EAT ANYTHING!!!!