If there’s mould growing on it, or it has a funky look or smell, go ahead and toss it. But if you’re adding to the 14 per cent of food wasted by US households due only to a very conservative “Best used by” date, think twice.
That’s the consensus of a number of food advocates and professionals interviewed by the Boston Globe. Although there’s no hard and fast rules on just how far past an expiration date one should feel safe to go, there’s a general consensus that many dates are arrived at through a mixture of overly conservative estimates and gung-ho salesmanship.
Got a fridge find that looks and smells fine, despite the date? Peek at Shelf Life Advice and get a feel for how long your food will generally last, if stored properly. Got advice or stories on unrealistic food dates? Share them in the comments. Photo by LetTheCardsFall.
What exactly does an expiration date mean? Food lasts longer than the tossers think [The Boston Globe via Consumerist]
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