Find the perfect date…. Stamped on your food! Learn the differences between food date stamps such as “Use-by”, “Expiration”, “Best If Used Before”, and “Sell-by” and know when to love ‘em or leave ‘em. Using your foods at the right time will help reduce food waste because you will not have to throw out spoiled foods. This will also help you keep money in your pocket. A good rule of thumb to follow is that foods are safe to eat past their date stamp if the foods are stored and handled properly. Two major exceptions are infant formula and bagged produce, which should be thrown away after the date stamped on packaging.
Finding the Perfect Date (pdf)
Finding the Perfect Date Infographic (pdf)
Remember: When in doubt, throw it out.
Quick Links:
EB-5031 : Safe Home Food Storage
Agrilife Extension Online Courses “Understanding the Dates on Food Labels”
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