Are You Throwing Away Food Too Soon? Here’s What Expiration Dates Really Mean

If you’ve ever tossed a perfectly good carton of eggs just because the date printed on the box had passed, you’re not alone! Expiration dates can be misleading, causing households to waste food—and money—unnecessarily. Understanding what those dates really mean can help you cut down on food waste and stretch your grocery budget further.

What Do Expiration Dates Actually Mean?

📌 "Sell By" Date: This is for stores, not consumers. It tells retailers how long they should display the item. Food is usually still safe to eat after this date if stored properly.

📌 "Best By" or "Use By" Date: This is about peak quality, not safety. The food may not be as fresh but is often still safe to eat.

📌 "Expiration Date" (Only on Certain Items): This is the only date that truly indicates when food should not be consumed for safety reasons—found mostly on baby formula, certain medications, and highly perishable foods.

Most foods are still safe to eat well beyond their printed dates if they are stored correctly. The key is knowing what to look for.

How Long Can You Actually Keep These Foods?

✅ Eggs

Safe 3-5 weeks past the Sell By date if refrigerated. Do a float test: if an egg floats in water, it’s bad!

✅ Milk

Often lasts 5-7 days beyond the Best By date if kept cold. Give it a sniff test before tossing.

✅ Cheese

Hard cheeses (cheddar, parmesan) last weeks or even months past their dates. Cut off any moldy spots and enjoy!

✅ Bread

1-2 weeks past its date if stored properly. Freeze it to extend shelf life!

✅ Canned Goods

Safe for years if the can is undamaged.

✅ Yogurt

Can last 1-3 weeks past its date if unopened.

✅ Dry Pasta & Rice

Indefinitely safe if stored in a cool, dry place.

✅ Frozen Foods

Good indefinitely! The quality may decrease over time, but frozen food doesn’t “expire.”

Signs That Food Has Gone Bad

Rather than relying on printed dates, use your senses to determine food safety. Here’s what to watch for:

🚫 Foul Odors

If it smells bad, don’t risk it.

🚫 Mold (on Soft Foods)

If it’s a soft food like yogurt or fresh fruit, toss it. If it’s a hard food like cheese or bread, cut off the moldy part.

🚫 Change in Texture

Slimy meats, curdled milk, or mushy veggies are no good.

🚫 Bulging or Leaking Cans

A sure sign of spoilage. Do not eat.

How to Store Food for Maximum Freshness

📌 Keep your fridge at 37-40°F and your freezer at 0°F to slow spoilage.

📌 Store dry goods in airtight containers to prevent staleness and bugs.

📌 Use the FIFO Method (First In, First Out) – Always use older food first!

Understanding expiration dates means less food waste and more money saved. Next time you’re about to toss something just because of a date, trust your senses first!