Food Expiration Dates: When Do They Really Matter?

How important are expiration dates on food? According to the New York Times, dates on food packaging usually indicate when the food has the best flavor, not when it becomes unsafe to eat.

In the United States, there are approximately 50 variations of date labels, which indicate when quality or freshness begins to decline. It is estimated that one and a half million tons of food are thrown away each year due to confusion about these dates.

Food companies determine the dates on their products using various methods, such as mathematical models or tests under extreme conditions. Smaller companies may rely on the dates of their competitors, leading to inconsistencies.

Experts emphasize that expiration dates are not a trick to get you to buy more, but a product of a chaotic system. For most foods, consumption after the date is not a health issue.

Pay particular attention to "use by" and "expires on" labels, especially on perishable products. Frozen foods keep well for up to a year, while sealed spices and canned goods often last for several years.

The most important dates concern meat, seafood, unpasteurized cheese and milk, baby food, and foods prepared in-store. Raw meat should be consumed within one to two days for poultry or four to five days for red meats.