Can I still eat food after its expiration date? A few tips on safe food storage
What better time to clean the food pantry than on the day my internet and Wi-Fi went down. I knew there were still some pandemic- era goods in the back but it was still shocking to see the age and condition of some of the goods.
The worst thing I found was a container of dried apricots that had turned black. Didn’t know that could happen. So the next few hours were spent reading expiration dates, evaluating conditions and deciding what to toss.
A word about expiration dates. Except for baby food, expiration dates are not required. And expiration dates are for taste and quality, not safety. I think calling them expiration dates leads to confusion and a lot of food waste.
USDA estimates that 30% of the food supply is wasted at the retail and consumer level due to confusion about the dates. The USDA suggest the phrase “best if used by” to describe the significance of the date.
Canned and bottled food is safe to eat long after the use-by date. If a can is bulging or rusted, that could be a sign of spoilage and should be tossed. When opened if it looks cloudy or smells funky, let it go. If the bottom or top of jarred food has popped, this could be a sign of bacterial growth and not safe to eat.
Foods stored in metal usually last longer than those in glass, and both are better than plastic. Oils, particularly olive, canola and peanut become rancid over time. If buying a large amount consider purchasing your next olive oil in a can. And keep all oil away from heat.
Most of us have some very old spices. They won’t be unsafe but past their prime they might not add much flavor to a dish. Keeping nuts in the freezer will extend their good taste and keep one from mindless snacking. If you aren’t going to finish a loaf of delicious artisan bread in a day or two, freeze it to prevent mold.
For detailed information on food safety and storage check out www.fsis.usda.gov.
Sheah Rarback is a registered dietitian nutritionist in private practice in Miami. [email protected]
