Here’s What Expiration<br />Dates on Food Really Mean Many people needlessly toss out packaged<br />food once it has reached its “best by” date. What they don’t know is that these dates<br />aren’t federally regulated, and are made<br />voluntarily by food companies. “Best by” refers to the date at which a food is at<br />peak quality, not when it needs to be thrown out. Janell Goodwin, USDA<br />Specialist, via ‘Time’ Freezing food is a great way to <br />ensure longevity as it prevents spoilage. Shelf-stable foods such as pasta, canned goods and<br />snack foods last well past their expiration dates. They’ll be safe to eat indefinitely,<br />but freshness and quality can degrade over time. Leftovers generally last about four days, <br />as bacteria grows in the refrigerator. Using your best judgment alongside<br />your sense of smell, sight and taste<br />will help prevent unnecessary food waste.
