Everyone has at some point pulled something questionable from the fridge, sniffed it, then handed it to someone else asking, “Is this still good?” But sometimes, the “sniff test” just isn’t good enough—especially when you’re checking expiration dates of items beyond the fridge—items that, when past their prime, may actually have become useless—or dangerous—without showing any real signs of spoiling. It’s important to check and understand a package’s expiration date.
By Donna Boyle Schwartz
Decoding the Terminology
The “expiration date” identifies the last date on which food or household good can be safely eaten or used. But did you know that providing this date is typically voluntary? The only items required by federal law to list expiration dates are infant formula and certain baby foods; many (but not all) states also require expiration or “sell by” dates on milk and dairy products.
More Phrases to Know
Labels that include “best if used by,” “use by,” or “guaranteed fresh” offer recommendations from the manufacturer to ensure peak quality. Similarly, a “born on” date found on beer packaging lets you track how long it’s been in the bottle (good to know because beer starts to deteriorate after three months); and the “pack” date refers to when a canned or packaged good was sealed by its manufacturer.
NEED TO HEED: Meat Market
Meat spoils rapidly, even in the fridge, which can make that steak dangerous for your next meal. Avoid serious illness by keeping poultry in the refrigerator for only one to two days; beef, veal, pork, and lamb for three to five days; seafood for one to two days; and ground meat and ground poultry for one to two days.
GOOD GUIDELINE: Dairy Fresh
As mentioned, most states require “sell by” dates on dairy products to ensure that they’re still good for use at home after purchase, and many suppliers also post “best if used by” dates for clarity. According to online health resource WebMD, milk is usually fine until a week after the “sell by” date; eggs are safe for consumption for three to five weeks after you bring them home.
GOOD GUIDELINE: In the Can
Stored properly in a cool, dry, and dark environment, canned goods have a long shelf life. According to the Food & Drug Administration, highly acidic foods like tomato sauce are safe for 18 months; low-acid foods like green beans or vegetables will keep even longer—up to five years. If your cans show signs of bulging or discoloration, though, toss them immediately, as these may be contaminated with bacteria.
GOOD GUIDELINE: Baking a Change
While its shelf life is plenty long, baking soda can sit in the fridge for even a longer time, a helpful storage hint if you’re an infrequent baker. The package should be labeled with recommended “use by” date (roughly six months after opening), but you can test the leavener’s potency by mixing one-half cup of hot tap water with one-quarter teaspoon vinegar and one-quarter teaspoon baking soda. If it fizzes, you’re in business!
GOOD GUIDELINE: Cleaning Conundrum
Sometimes even good products go bad—case in point, most common household cleaners. All cleaning products eventually lose their effectiveness over time, slowly degrading the plastic containers in which they are stored. For best practice, follow the guidelines Good Housekeeping set up for retention of cleaners: Keep liquid and powder laundry detergent for 6 to 12 months, multi-surface cleaners for one to two years, disinfectant sprays and wipes for two years, hand dishwashing soap for 12 to 18 months, and automatic dishwashing soap for three months.
NEED TO HEED: Medicinal Matters
Medicines are required by law to have expiration dates, and these should be taken seriously by consumers. According to the FDA, the chemicals in drugs can break down and change over time, becoming more potent—even poisonous—or simply ineffective and unable to provide the benefit or treatment that you need.
