Category: Expiration dates

According to the USDA, canned foods that are properly stored are safe indefinitely, though quality may decline over time. Despite this official guidance, many people panic when they discover canned goods past the labeled date, unsure if they can be consumed or if they pose a health risk. Understanding the real meaning behind 'best-by' and 'use-by' dates is crucial for making informed decisions and reducing food waste.

According to the Can Manufacturer's Institute, canned food is processed to be forever safe, but the date on the label indicates a decline in quality. Knowing how long is canned food good for after the expiration date depends on several key factors, including the type of food and storage conditions.

According to the USDA, once a package of lunch meat is opened or purchased from the deli counter, it should be consumed within just three to five days. Eating lunch meat that is nine days old far exceeds this safe consumption window and carries a significant health risk.

According to the USDA, carbonated soft drinks are not perishable and are typically safe past the "best-by" date stamped on the container, but their quality can decrease over time. This raises the question of what exactly happens if you drink 3 month old soda and whether it's still worth consuming.

According to the USDA, a "Best By" date primarily indicates peak quality, not safety. When it comes to the question, "is it safe to drink out of date juice?", the answer is not a simple yes or no, but depends heavily on the type of juice, how it was stored, and the specific date on the packaging.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), confusion over date labels accounts for nearly 20% of consumer food waste in the United States. This startling statistic highlights a common problem: knowing if milk is safe to drink after date passes requires more than just checking the printed label.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, manufacturers are not required to put expiration dates on dietary supplements, though most reputable companies do to indicate optimal potency. While the mineral magnesium itself does not degrade, the other ingredients in supplements can lose effectiveness over time. Therefore, the primary concern with expired magnesium is reduced potency, not toxicity.

According to the USDA, date labels like 'best by' refer to a food's quality, not its safety. This is especially true for shelf-stable items, but can you eat 1 year expired granola without risks? The short answer is: probably not, and you must assess the product for key signs of spoilage before considering it safe to eat, even if quality is gone.

According to the USDA, packaged, dry, shelf-stable foods like cereal are often safe to eat well past their 'best by' date. This fact is critical for anyone wondering, "should I throw out my Cheerios?" and can help prevent unnecessary food waste in households everywhere.

According to the FDA, misunderstanding food date labels contributes significantly to consumer food waste. This leads many to wonder, **can you eat oats 2 years out of date**? The answer depends less on the printed date and more on how the oats have been stored and their current condition.