Don’t Toss It Yet!
Exploring the Misconceptions of Food Expiration Dates
Like many of us, I have often relied on the “best by” date printed on food packaging to determine its safety. However, it turns out that our understanding of these dates is often misguided. Contrary to popular belief, the expiration date does not necessarily indicate when a product becomes unsafe to consume. Rather, it serves as a guideline for the seller to communicate the optimal freshness period. According to the LA Times, “Some $900 million of expired food is dumped from the supply chain annually, much of it a result of confusion. Misinterpreted date labels cause the average American household of four to lose as much as $455 a year on squandered food, according to researchers”. This equates to a lot of money that could be saved and not wasted over a simple misunderstanding.
Shockingly, approximately 40% of the county’s food supply ends up in landfill, much of which can be attributed to people misinterpreting these labels. To combat this issue, it is crucial that we grasp two key concepts: the true meaning behind the “best by” date, and the distinction between “best by”, “use by”, and “sell by” labels and how they affect us as consumers.
Let’s begin by unraveling the true meaning behind the “best by” date. Contrary to popular belief, the “best by” date simply indicates the period during which a product is expected to be at its peak quality. Around 90% of Americans prematurely discard items once they surpass the “best by” date. This hasty disposal contributes significantly to unnecessary waste in landfills. The reality is that there isn’t a specific date when a product instantly goes bad. In fact, for most products, you can safely consume them beyond the “best by” date.
It’s important to note that certain items, such as baby formula, may have labeled dates for safety purposes. And it’s worth noting that certain items like packaged salads, deli meat, and cheeses may harbor bacteria that aren’t easily detectable by our senses. But many “best by” dates are determined without scientific backing, making it challenging to assess safety accurately. Often, your own judgment based on sight, smell, and touch can determine whether a food item is still suitable for consumption. Overall, the “best buy” date is not an accurate way to measure the safety of a product, but instead a way to display freshness. Although a product might taste stale, it is not unsafe to eat.
To tackle this issue and reduce food waste, experts propose one solution: removing labeling on produce, allowing individuals to rely on their own judgment to assess safety. Consumer Reports explains, “the best way to know whether a perishable food has spoiled is simply to ‘trust your taste buds and sense of smell.’ Foods past their prime often develop mold, bacteria, and yeast, causing them to give warning signs to your senses”. This simple change has the potential to eliminate a staggering 398,000 tons of waste annually. Additionally, many regions have implemented policies requiring businesses and restaurants to donate unsold food. Previously, due to the misconception that the “best by” date indicates safety, many countries prohibited the donation of food by restaurants and grocery stores. However, by combining these two strategies, we can prevent thousands of tons of waste from ending up in landfills.
To effectively decipher the dates on food packaging, it’s crucial to understand the differences between “sell by,” “use by,” and “best by” labels. As mentioned earlier, the “best by” date primarily denotes the period of optimal freshness for a product. Similarly, the “sell by” date is employed by sellers to plan shelf placement and ensure customers experience products at their peak freshness. Conversely, the “use by” date serves as a deadline for safety, indicating how long a product remains suitable for consumption. In essence, it is helpful to remember that “best by” and “sell by” dates guide quality, while the “use by” date emphasizes safety.
In summary, the most reliable way to determine if a product has spoiled is to rely on your senses of sight, smell, and touch, with certain exceptions. However, if you prefer a more tangible guideline, consider that “best by” and “sell by” dates provide insights into quality, while the “use by” date focuses on safety. It’s alarming to note that 43% of waste in landfills originates from individual households. Nevertheless, one of the most effective approaches to prevent waste is to purchase only the food you truly need and will consume. By comprehending when to discard food and practicing mindful shopping habits, we can collectively save vast quantities of food from being wasted and entering landfills. Vox describes this as, “a huge economic loss for food growers and retailers, who often have to ditch weirdly shaped produce or overstocked food that didn’t sell. Environmentally it’s bad, too… 25 percent of fresh water in the US goes toward producing food that goes uneaten, and 21 percent of input to our landfills is food, which represents a per-capita increase of 50 percent since 1974.”
The current picture, then, is one of landfills piled high with wasted, often still edible, food. By debunking myths around food expiration dates and embracing mindful consumption, we can actively reduce food and money waste and create a more sustainable future for generations to come.
