Many people don’t know this, but except for infant formula, product dating is generally not required under federal law. However, if calendar dating is used on a product, it must show both the month and the day of the month. For example, March 10.
If the product with a month and day is shelf-stable or frozen, then it also has to have a year added. Then, if all three, the month, day and year are used, if must have a phrase explaining that date, for example: “use before March 10, 2010,” or “sell-by March 10, 2010.”
But these food product designations don’t really tell us if the product is fresh, or how long it will stay fresh. It comes down to the question of quality and if the food still tastes good, rather than safety, in many cases. As an example, that container of brown sugar in the cupboard might sit there for two or three months, but other than getting hard as a brick, it doesn’t decline in quality and it is still safe to use.
When it comes to meats, eggs, bread and dairy products, the “sell-by” dates become important, because they tell the store how long to keep the products on the shelf. Even though stores should pull the products after the “sell-by” date, it doesn’t mean the product cannot still be sold. It is still legal to sell the products.
It is also legal for a retailer to change the sell-by date on wholesale meat that has been cut up and repackaged in their meat department. Most food products are still safe to eat for about a week after the “sell-by” dates have passed. Fresh meat, fish, and poultry should be cooked and eaten no later than one to two days after the “sell-by” date, or frozen for longer storage. Then, the “sell-by” date doesn’t matter because frozen foods are safe indefinitely.
The different types of dates used
A “Sell-By” date has already been discussed, but basically, this date tells the store when to pull the product from their shelves. Buy this product before the date indicated.
A “Best if Used By (or Before)” date is something to look for if you are concerned with the best flavor or quality of a food product. It is not a purchase or safety date.
A “Use-By” date is the last day to use the product while it is still at peak quality.
“Closed or coded dates” are packing numbers for use by the manufacturer.
The US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) brings all the dates down to two things to remember, If a product has a “use-by” date, then use it before the date indicated. For products with a “sell-by” date, or no date, cook or freeze the product and follow food guidelines for temperatures while cooking or freezing.
Food handling and safety guidelines
The proper safe handling of all food products goes a long way in helping to maintain the quality and taste of any foods. However, when foods are mishandled, either by poor sanitary measures in processing, or unsafe handling in the kitchen, the risk of bacterial contamination is increased, and then you have to worry about food-borne illness.
The point is, the “use-by” and “sell-by” dates don’t mean a thing if once the food product gets home, it is handled improperly. Dairy, meat, poultry and egg products must be refrigerated immediately. When a food product label says to store in a cool, dry place, that is exactly what should be done.
Below is a chart showing the recommended refrigerator temperature for fresh, uncooked or processed products sealed at the manufacturer’s facility:
Refrigerator Home Storage (at 40 °F [4.4 ºC] or below) of Fresh or Uncooked Products
Refrigerator Home Storage (at 40 °F [4.4 ºC] or below) of Processed Products Sealed at Plant
With summer on us and lots of people cooking outdoors, food quality and safety are all the more important. So pay attention to dates and especially, handle food products safely.
