Comments for Here's A Simple Tutorial On Expiration Dates

Here's A Simple Tutorial On Expiration Dates

2009-07-11T00:25:57Z

Howcast has produced a quick video tutorial covering the basics of expiration and sell by dates. If you have questions about eggs, meat, canned goods, or storing things in the freezer, check it out.

]]>

"How to Understand Food Expiration Dates at the Grocery Store" [YouTube via Minyanville]

Comment from gaywolverine on 2009-07-13

2009-07-13T19:35:54Z

Keep in mind there is a difference between something becoming dangerous or just spoiling. Spoiling will be an issue for taste buds or for optimum flavor.

Comment from pika2000 on 2009-07-12

2009-07-12T11:49:10Z

@Ryan Gard: Agreed. This is THE problem. I've seen this more and more, and I don't understand the reasoning behind it.

Comment from pika2000 on 2009-07-12

2009-07-12T11:47:42Z

@amandakerik: Yeah, yet there are plenty of lawsuits and legal actions against pharmacists dispensing (intentional or not) expired medications. Money talks. Telling people to use expired meds will only increase liability and gives lawsuit lawyers 100% chance of winning, especially if anything (regardless of whether it's actually related to the drugs or not) happened to the person.

Comment from Ryan Gard on 2009-07-12

2009-07-12T11:20:53Z

What I honestly think the problem is as well, is that some food has a cryptic date code as well. It makes it harder for people to understand when it was made, or when it is good until.

Comment from alexanderpink on 2009-07-12

2009-07-12T05:31:26Z

@amandakerik: According to our first year pharmacy professor most drugs are safe to consume almost indefinitely (esp pill forms) though the potency of the medications is reduced over time. I don't know how long though.

Comment from amandakerik on 2009-07-11

2009-07-11T23:53:38Z

Another big topic for expiration dates is medication. The US armed forces did a study / asked about when medications really should be discarded (due to replacing costs) and most medications last a LOT longer than on the package - the package's date has more to do with package redesign timing than actual loss of potency.
6 - 10 years for the dry pill / tablet formats, less for the liquid tabs (I seem to remember).

Comment from P_Smith on 2009-07-11

2009-07-11T10:24:49Z

@rorschachex: Food being there since 1973 means it's not been cleaned since 1973. Why would you even consider eating from the top, let alone the bottom?

Comment from Shadowfire on 2009-07-10

2009-07-11T04:09:34Z

@outlulz: Because people don't pay attention? Grocery stores have to throw out milk two days before the sell by date, and other things are more ridiculous (formula is tossed 2 -months- before the date). Honestly, I'm betting it's just to keep the average consumer from making dumb mistakes and blaming the producer.

Comment from Shadowfire on 2009-07-10

2009-07-11T03:33:08Z

@Hoss: They point that out at the end.

Comment from dangerp on 2009-07-10

2009-07-11T02:55:27Z

@calquist:
- hand to significant other to sniff
- ignore advice and continue with eating/drinking/cooking

Comment from Con Seannery on 2009-07-10

2009-07-11T02:39:03Z

@calquist: Works for me.

Comment from Mike8813 on 2009-07-10

2009-07-11T02:31:55Z

@Cletus: I've heard that once they're hard-boiled they're disgusting. Oh wait, that was just me thinking out loud. Yuck!

Comment from kjherron on 2009-07-10

2009-07-11T02:17:26Z

@outlulz: Well, a "use by" date on something requiring refrigeration would have to presume the consumer stored the food properly. It'd probably become a magnet for trumped-up lawsuits.

Comment from Hoss on 2009-07-10

2009-07-11T02:05:40Z

The information given is a little confusing. Whensthe video is discussing milk and eggs, they are mentioning how long it takes until the food becomes spoiled. But the freezer life it different. Anything frozen (at 0%) will remain unspoiled indefinitely -- the guidance given in the video is talking about when the taste begins to change

Comment from Lance Uppercut on 2009-07-10

2009-07-11T02:04:20Z

@Jevia: I've heard that once they're hard-boiled you should use them within 2 - 3 days.

Comment from Applekid on 2009-07-10

2009-07-11T01:59:18Z

Gosh, did that Minyanville story really have to end with "Happy Tossing"? I prefer angry, abusive tossing myself.

Comment from GirlCat on 2009-07-10

2009-07-11T01:51:51Z

I use the honey test. "Honey, does this taste OK to you?" Thank you! I'll be here all week!

Comment from Nakko on 2009-07-10

2009-07-11T01:51:45Z

Best turkey I ever ate: a 27-pound bird that I had in my freezer for three years. I told my Thanksgiving guests that the secret was to "marinate it in ice for a few years first" for perfect tenderness. =3

Comment from Nakko on 2009-07-10

2009-07-11T01:50:55Z

@rorschachex: Dude, I would love to eat green beans from 1973.

Comment from calquist on 2009-07-10

2009-07-11T01:36:04Z

My expiration date tutorial:
- Open container
- Sniff
- Shake contents a little bit
- Sniff
- Ponder and hold head in quizzical fashion
- Deeper sniff
- Shrug and continue with eating/drinking/cooking

Comment from outlulz on 2009-07-10

2009-07-11T01:32:31Z

@hillsrovey: Is there any reason to having -only- the often misunderstood "sell by" date on a package other than hoping the consumer will throw out something still fresh and buy another one?

Comment from rorschachex on 2009-07-10

2009-07-11T01:31:46Z

I remember cleaning out my family's old freezer in our basement about 2 years ago before we got rid of it. I found frozen vegetables from 1973 in the bottom. Suffice it to say, we were not brave enough to try it, although it would've been interesting to eat food that predates me by more than a decade...

Comment from morganlh85 on 2009-07-10

2009-07-11T01:29:58Z

I'm a big fan of stilltasty.com for figuring out how long stuff is good for.

Comment from Jevia on 2009-07-10

2009-07-11T01:15:48Z

@Mike8813: how long can boiled eggs last (assuming refridgeration)?

Comment from Mike8813 on 2009-07-10

2009-07-11T01:12:37Z

Cool tip about egg freshness. I don't think I've ever had a problem with eggs going bad in our house, but it'll be fun to see if they float or not!

Comment from hillsrovey on 2009-07-10

2009-07-11T00:56:01Z

A similar story was on the Today Show this morning - apparently Americans waste a lot of food throwing things out past the "sell by" date, when actually that's just the date the food is at it's peak....