They are speaking of expiration dates on food products.
Have you heard screaming or yelling off in the distance the past few weeks? If so, know it was me yelling at my computer!!!!!
Folks THERE ARE NO EXPERATION DATES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MOST items have a "best if used by" date. This is a date that the manufacturer places on the item designating a date for the highest and best quality of the product. It is STRICTLY about quality - NOT safety. Products do not magically go bad on that date.
Most canned products have dates that are 2 - 3 years out. If it is good all that time, I don't think more time is going to hurt anything.
I have eaten store bought canned food that was at least 2 years past the "best by" date. Not a thing wrong with it.
If your cans are not swelled or rusted - the product should be fine.
Seriously - did you know salt contains a 'use by' date? If kept dry, it is good forever, AND YES it is millions of years old already!
There are also "sell by" dates. These are added by the grocer. This is the last date that they feel they should offer it at regular price. It in no way has anything to do with the freshness of the food. That "sell by" date is not mandatory.
If so compelled, reach to the back of a shelf for your purchases - the dates will probably be further in the future.
I haven't purchased any, but I do believe that baby formula may have an ACTUAL "expiration date". If that is the case, I would follow it since it is vulnerable babies that are involved.
I just keep seeing women my age (or close) on several FB pages asking what do I do with this before it expires in a day or two! I threw such and such away yesterday, as it hit it's expiration date. Then they ask what others do.
REALLY? How much money over all the years have these people literally thrown in the trash, before asking the question at this stage in life? It totally amazes me.
My husband hears me yelling at the computer some days - and his words of wisdom are "maybe nobody has ever told them". Well, no one ever told me either - I just used common sense!
We have a family member that always has a table full of products that have hit their 'best by' date to throw away! When a friend asks if she can have it - the answer is always NO, "I am going to open it and throw it out" is the answer. I am sorry that is just selfishness and greed. Why would you not want to help someone out that has little if you could?
Can you hear me screaming yet?????? AAARRGGGHHHHH
This morning I opened a new sealed container of cottage cheese that actually had a "use by" date of 1/14/18. Yep, I just opened it today and G said it was perfect. TIP: Once you open cottage cheese, sour cream or dip, place the lid back on securely and refrigerate upside down. It keeps the air out and keeps it fresh longer!!
Heavens, cottage cheese is already curdled milk (ick - I don't eat it), and sour cream is already soured - what could a few days more possibly do to it? LOL
The milk we are currently using (have about one day left) says 'sell by' 1/24/18. It tastes perfect. I often don't even open a gallon until a week or two after that 'sell by' date. I keep it at the back of the frig on the lowest shelf and it stays incredibly cold.
Meat is about the only thing that I truly watch the dates on. Even then you have a few days leeway. If it smells ok and looks ok - odds are it's ok.
We all have occasionally found that one container in the frig that we can not identify the contents of! YUCK - that is bad. Green and moldy is bad. A random date is not.
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My whole point is - dates are arbitrary! REMEMBER the manufacturer and the grocers want you to buy more and spend more money.
PLEASE do not throw something away just because it is past a date. You might as well throw dollar bills into the trash can.
ROTATE, ROTATE, ROTATE you pantry. Always put newer purchases to the back and older up front.
I know most of you know this, but perhaps someone doesn't. I just despise waste, and want to make everyone else aware. There are so many hungry people in this world who would be grateful for anything, and we throw things away because they hit some random date!
THINK AND SAVE!
SO if they dig you and I up in 100 years will we still be okay to have around? :) I am with you on this one. If milk goes bad I use it in cooking.
ReplyDeleteSure we will! LOL Maybe just a little worse for wear!!!!
DeleteThank you - yes milk would be great in pancakes, biscuits, waffles, baking, etc.
I guess a lot of people are squeamish - not me - I find another use like you do.
I remember my grandmother purposely leaving milk out to sour it. As a kid I thought she was a little "whacko" and wanted to gag at the thought! Eventually I grew up!
DeleteKris I had forgotten about that. Mom did that too. was that called clabbered milk? I think it was. I know Mom used in biscuits and pancakes.
DeleteCheryl, I agree with you.
ReplyDeleteAt the beginning of each month, I go through my canned goods pantry and pull out everything that is going to "Expire" that month, and make menus around it. I am a 7 month "cancer free" patient, and my doctor has warned me that my immune system is not what it used to be. Before cancer, I definitely would have eaten past date foods, but now with a compromised immune system I have to be careful, that's why I work so hard to use it up before that date. (And if I did miss something - I would NOT throw it away - I would share it). Still enjoying your blog. Cindy Norred
Cindy congrats to you!!!! I can totally understand being somewhat leery with a compromised immune system.
DeleteBravo for not throwing it out - but either using or gifting!
Keep doing all the right things!
Thanks, we love having you here.
I've even heard of community food banks refusing food because it was past the expired date!
DeleteSad isn't it. If you were really hungry, it sure wouldn't matter. Stores TRASH so much food that is still good. They could give to shelters or just let people have it. Of course, everyone in this world is sue crazy - so they are covering their bums!
DeleteI seen posts on a couple of Facebook groups I'm on where the person post "I threw out so much canned food the had expired in my pantry yesterday". Luckily there are more rational people on there that try to set them straight, but a few just can't be convinced. I have #10 cans of pineapple bits that say best by 2009 I still open one once in a while when I need some and freeze the rest, still tastes like pineapple. Take Care, Sandy
ReplyDeleteSandy we must belong to the same FB groups! You are very correct, there is no helping some folks - no matter how you try.
DeleteYou sound like my kind of gal. Sounds like you are a prepper as well as pantry smart.
If the cans are in good shape - there is no reason for not using the product.
Thanks for the testimony to longevity of canned goods!!!!
Ok. I have had salad mix go bad before the expiration date with me using a paper towels to help with moisture. Meat can and will go bad. I use common sense but after getting food poisoning I would rather throw food away that I thought was bad then risk it. Cheryl
ReplyDeleteI have had salad go bad quickly as well. Sure meat can go bad, one just needs to use it wisely. Anything fresh has a much shorter shelf life.
DeleteI had food poisoning a couple times, but it was from restaurant food - and who knows what happens there. That is why I prefer to eat at home.
Your kitchen your rules. We all do what we feel is right for us.
Have a good day!
Keep nuts in the fridge to keep them at their best.
ReplyDeleteYes it sure does help with nuts. If I find a great deal on nuts I use for baking, I get them and freeze them.
DeleteThanks!
This is good information, Cheryl. I had never seen that meme before, how funny!
ReplyDeleteThanks. It cracked me up when I saw it. That is kind of how it goes!
DeleteI wish someone was taking my blood pressure while I was reading one of those posts with people throwing out "expired food". I bet it would "sky rocket"! Just another ruse to get people to spend more money needlessly. Not to mention the waste of perfectly good food.
ReplyDeleteOh me too! I mean I am literally yelling at the computer sometimes! I just can't believe the waste in our world anymore.
DeleteIt seems very apparent to me that many people have more "cents" than sense. OR they don't! I bet a lot of those people are struggling financially and just can figure it out! Hmmmmmm
I used to do that while watching the house "rehab" shows. Just hack the cabinets to pieces instead of donating them or refurbishing them. I always said I was born 100 years too late.
DeleteKris I still do that while watching HGYV. I can not believe the waste!!!!! The cabinets, countertops, shelving, oh so much could be sent to a re-use store and help so many NT TO MENTION the environment.
DeleteG gets tired of hearing me tell the decorators/contractors "what the H**L are you doing"?
It sure sounds like we think alike!!!
Right with you there my friend. I have never understood how some people think that canned goods are perfectly fine one day and expired the next. I'm the same way with milk and cottage cheese. So much waste!
ReplyDeleteI guess it's magic!!!!! Or maybe Voodoo!!!!!
DeleteI don't understand it either.
It is so comforting to know that I am in good company and savvy people with all you gals.
I have family members who waste a lot of food. One throws away all leftovers immediately after a meal, including any partial fruits and veggies used in preparing the meal. The other often mentions throwing away bags full of food to make room in the fridge for her latest purchases. It appalls me, but I think it might in some way make them feel "better off" to be doing those things (??)
ReplyDeleteI enjoy your blog & am a penny-pincher myself.
Thanks for all the great ideas.
Hi DJ. WOW what blatant waste. That is horrible. I truly can't understand why anyone would think that was ok. Maybe they think it looks like they have more money than others - but odds are they don't.
DeleteIt really sickens me when I see such waste, when so many have nothing.
I am glad you have this little part of the world and I hope you continue to visit and help teach us all new things and ideas!
Some people don't seem to have much common sense, do they? I am more careful with meats, and I try to use or freeze by the date marked, but I can't imagine throwing out canned goods because they are a little out of date. I put out of date eggs in water, if they float, I throw them away. We go through milk pretty quickly, but sometimes it tastes "off" to me if it is much past it's sell by date, but it is still good for cooking.
ReplyDeleteNo Kathy they don't. You know until just a few years ago, I didn't even know eggs had a date! Once in my life I have cracked a bad egg - that's it. I use eggs well past date. The float test is always great.
Deleteyes milk can sure be used in cooking/baking. People sour milk on purpose and have for decades!
It is amazing how wasteful people are.
When my uncle passed and I was helping my Dad clean out his apartment we found lots of things past best buy. My Mom and sister wanted to throw it all away. I said NO WAY. I took what I wanted and then brought the rest(2 big boxes) to work. 2 of the ladies were having hard times so I offered them the boxes. One was so insulted. She thought I was trying to kill her family. They other was so grateful she took both boxes. I still have some of the beans and fruit from his apartment and he passed 2 years ago. Nothing so far has been bad.
ReplyDeleteMarybeth thank you for giving your story. It just helps seal the idea that things are fine past date.
DeleteI am so glad that you didn't give in and throw it out.
The loss to the one lady and what a tremendous blessing to the other and your family!
I have used many items way past best by date and we are still kicking too!! LOL
Thanks for your testimony!