Have you ever reached into your pantry and pulled out can of beans only to see a “use by” date from the previous year? You are not alone. While your first instinct may be to toss that can, hold that thought. Nearly 10% of all wasted food in America is related to confusion over how to interpret food labels. Before you toss out any more food, let’s take a closer look at the history of food labels, what those dates on labels mean and where we are with labels today.
- The first food labels appeared in the early 1900’s when dairy producers began using “use by” labels on perishable foods like dairy and baked goods to indicate how quickly they would spoil.
- In the 30’s, manufacturers introduced “sell by” labels to help manage stock rotation.
- Fast forward to the 1970’s when the rapid expansion of US processed foods exploded. Consumer demand for more information about food quality contributed to introduction of “open dating” – calendar dates that help consumers decide about purchasing and consuming a product.
Today, the USDA is responsible for ensuring the safety and labeling of meat, poultry, and some egg products. The FDA that oversees the safety and labeling of all other foods, including seafood, game meat, and shell eggs.
Except for infant formula, federal regulations do not require date labeling or set standardized language for most food products.
Both the FDA and USDA encourage the use of the “Best if Used By” phrase to indicate the date after which the quality of a food product may decline, but it may still be consumed. The bottom line is that date labels on food, with the exception of infant formula, are primarily intended to communicate information about food quality and shelf life, not necessarily food safety.
The Food Date Labeling Act is a bill, not yet law, that proposes a labeling scheme where food labelers can use one of two options: “BEST If Used By” to indicate optimal freshness and quality, and “USE By” to indicate the discard date. The bill also requires the FDA and USDA to educate consumers about the meaning of date-label terminology.
Until the Food Date Labeling Act becomes law, keep the following information in mind:
Use-By, Best if Used By, Best By, Best Before:
- These dates are generally found on shelf-stable products such as canned goods, mustard, mayonnaise, and peanut butter.
- The date, which is provided voluntarily by the manufacturer, reflects how long the product is likely to remain at its absolute best quality when unopened. It is not a safety date.
- Once the “use by” or “best” date has passed, gradual changes in the product texture, color, or flavor may be observed. As long as the item has been stored properly, it is usually fine to consume.
- Canned goods are generally safe to eat after their “best by” date, as long as the can remains intact and does not show signs of spoilage, like bulging or rust.
- Low-acid canned foods, like meat and vegetables, can maintain quality for two to five years. High acid foods, like fruit and tomatoes, are best within 12-18 months of the “use by’’ date.
Sell-By:
- Sell-by dates are found on perishables like meat, seafood, poultry and milk. The date is a guide for stores to track how long they can display a particular product.
- Products may still be fine beyond the sell-by date, as long as safe storage procedures are followed. For example, dairy products are typically good for 1 week after the sell-by date. Eggs are safe for 3 to 5 weeks after the sell-by date.
Expires On:
- The only place you’re likely to encounter this type of date is infant formula and some baby foods, which are the only food products the federal government regulates with respect to dating. You should always use the product before this expiration date has passed.
Packing codes:
- These codes, which appear as a series of letters and/or numbers on the package, sometimes indicate the date or time of manufacture. Packing codes help manufacturers and grocers rotate their stock and quickly locate products in the event of a recall.
For more information about food quality and expiration dates, visit foodsafety.gov.
Now that you are well versed on date labeling, grab a can of chickpeas from your pantry and whip together this tasty Honey Dijon Hummus recipe. Perfect as a delicious spread or dip, this tasty hummus recipe is going to become a staple in your refrigerator.
