Keep it or toss it?
Everyfood you purchase has a shelf life.
Instead, they provide a general estimate regarding when a particular food is at its peak quality.
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That means thatbasically everythingcan be enjoyed beyond the date you see on the packaging.
(Baby formula is the only exclusion.
It has a federally regulated expiration date and must be consumed within a given time period.)
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What do the different dates on your food mean?
“But none of this is federally regulated.”
Your ultimate restaurant and supermarket survival guide is here!
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However, there are some general factors that are important to note.
We call those kinds of foods ‘perishable foods.'"
“Refrigerator temperatures don’t completely stop bacteria from growing, they just slow its growth.
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In general, perishable foods will survive in your fridge for about seven days,” Hutchings says.
“Opened condiments are an exception to the rule because they’re typically more acidic.”
The freezer, Hutchings notes, is a slightly different story.
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The longer food stays frozen, the more its quality tends to go downhill."
What foods that are still good after their expiration date?
“But be on the lookout for mold, especially if stored in a moist environment.
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It’s best to store bread in a cool, dry place.
It will lose some freshness and flavor of course, but it will be safe to eat.”
Canned corn: 1-2 years past expiration date
“Canned foodis among the least perishable out there.
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But you’ve got the option to eat it even years after that,” says Norton.
“Canning kills microorganisms that cause food to spoil in the first place.
Other unopened canned goods that made the cut?
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Beans, fruit, mushrooms, pasta sauce, chicken, and chili, according to Hutchings.
The same goes for dried fruit, crackers, and chips.
Don’t eat any dry ingredients that have an unnatural smell or signs of a pest infestation.”
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Is It Bad to Eat Cheese With Mold On It?
“If you’re unsure, give it a whiff to see if it’s gone sour.”
The same holds for whole-grain pasta, as the dryness offsets rancidity,” Norton says.
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Per Hutchings, the same goes for uncooked rice, as well as uncooked oats and oatmeal.
Root vegetables: several weeks
This includes foods like beets, carrots and parsnips.
According to Norton, unopened yogurt is safe to eat for up to three weeks past its expiration date.
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Honey: indefinitely after expiration date
Honey is one of thefoods that never go bad.
Plus, honey is acidic.
The high acidity means it will kill off any other bacteria trying to survive in honey.
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Marinara Sauce: 1-4 weeks past expiration date
Like honey, marinara sauce is extremely acidic.
This acidity helps to protect the tomato sauce from harboring spoiling bacteria.
How do you know if food has gone bad?
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“For example, spoiled milk will have an unpleasantly sour or even putrid smell.
“Look for discoloration in fruits and veggies or ifthey’re forming mold,” she says.
While canned goods typically fare better than most, there are still things consumers should look out for.
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