Don’t throw them out yet: This is how long you have to eat these foods, according to experts

U.S. authorities have pledged to provide customers with clearer food date labelling, amid a drive to reduce waste caused by products being prematurely thrown away.

Indeed, the country’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) estimates that around 20% of food waste in America stems from consumer confusion created by the inconsistent manner in which products are labelled.

In December, the FDA announced that it has joined forces with the U.S.’s Department of Agriculture (USDA) to look into simplifying food dating practices in the food manufacturing and retail industry, in a bid to provide greater clarity to shoppers.

What are the regulations on food dates in the U.S.? Which different labels will you see on products?

Currently, the U.S. does not have a federal law requiring expiration dates on food items in the country, unless the product in question is baby formula.

What’s more, the dates printed on food products do not tend to represent a safety indication. “Manufacturers provide dating to help consumers and retailers decide when food is of best quality,” the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) explains.

Among the various dating terminology that American shoppers will find on products they buy, the most common are “best if used by”, “use by” and “sell by”.

In a joint statement detailing their push to make food labelling more user-friendly, the FDA and the USDA recommended that manufacturers and retailers opt for the phrase “best if used by”, as it offers customers the most unequivocal instruction. The phrase clearly notes “the date after which quality may decline but the product may still be consumed”, the bodies explained.

While this solution might reduce consumer confusion, it is - as stated above - no more than a guide on product quality. It does not offer a full picture on safety.

To help you make an informed decision on whether a product is still safe to eat, we have outlined below how long you normally have after purchase before you’ll need to throw food away.

Please note that this article draws on information provided by food safety professionals and authorities, but its writer is not himself a qualified expert in the field. If in doubt, please directly consult guidance provided by the USDA, the FDA, the U.S. government’s Food Safety website, and other appropriate expert sources.

Which food products tend to last the longest?

According to the USDA, “shelf stable” foods are generally safe to eat “indefinitely”. The agency defines shelf stable products as “foods that can be safely stored at room temperature”, such as uncooked rice and pasta, and things like flour, sugar and spices.

Canned goods are also listed among this group, although the USDA warns that not all of these products are shelf stable. “Some canned food, such as some canned ham and seafood, are not safe at room temperature,” the organization explains. “These will be labeled ‘Keep Refrigerated.’”

What’s more, the FDA cautions that cans should be checked for damage that may impact on their contents' longevity. The agency explains: “Can damage is shown by swelling, leakage, punctures, holes, fractures, extensive deep rusting, or crushing or denting severe enough to prevent normal stacking or opening with a manual, wheel-type can opener.”

Which foods should you be more careful about?

Perishable foods such as meat, poultry, fish, seafood, eggs and milk must be stored properly. The USDA defines perishable products as “those likely to spoil, decay or become unsafe to consume if not kept refrigerated at 40 °F or below, or frozen at 0 °F or below”.

The USDA warns that perishable foods should not be left outside of the fridge for more than two hours, while the FDA adds that such items should definitely be thrown away if unrefrigerated for four hours or more.

Eggs should be used within three to five weeks of purchasing, the USDA says. The body adds that eggs' sell-by date may expire during that time, but it insists that they ought to remain “perfectly safe to use”.

The USDA also recommends that consumers use or freeze refrigerated beef, veal, pork and lamb products within three to five days of purchase; and use or freeze refrigerated chicken, turkey, ground meat and ground poultry within one to two days. Raw fish and shellfish should be kept in the fridge for no more than one or two days after purchase before being cooked or frozen.

Luncheon meat should be refrigerated and eaten within three to five days if in an open package. If kept in an unopened package, it can be stored in the fridge for up to two weeks after purchase.

Milk can be refrigerated for no more than seven days after being bought, the USDA says, while yogurt can be kept in the fridge for one to two weeks.

Which food products should you be extra careful about?

University Hospitals dietitian Elizabeth Traxler urges particular caution with items such as soft-cooked eggs, raw fish in sushi, unpasteurized dairy products (including soft cheeses like brie and camembert) and freshly squeezed juices.

Traxler points out that products of this nature are particularly vulnerable to harmful bacteria that can cause illness. And, as the FDA warns, such pathogenic bacteria can build up without making the affected perishable item look, feel or smell off.

Where can I get more info on food safety?

If you’d like more detailed, comprehensive information on how long items remain safe to eat, including advice on how long you can keep cooked leftovers, we recommend you consult this useful table on the U.S.‘s Food Safety website.

We would also urge you to check out the Food Safety service’s FoodKeeper App, in which you can search for product-by-product advice on whether or not a food item is still safe to consume.

What are the guidelines on how long you can freeze food for?

According to the Food Safety website, food that is frozen in proper time and stored continuously at 0 °F or below can be expected to keep indefinitely.

However, Food Safety does not recommend freezing things like raw eggs, certain shellfish or “keep refrigerated” canned goods. The service also notes that foods vary in how long they can remain in the freezer before their quality is adversely affected. Take a look at the full of best-quality freezing durations.

“Though food will be safe indefinitely at 0° F, quality will decrease the longer the food is in the freezer,” the FDA agrees. “Tenderness, flavor, aroma, juiciness, and color can all be affected.”

Related stories

Food

Are these the best Girl Scout cookies?

Consumer

The low-cost grocery store with no cover charge to shop

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.