3. Product Dates on Labels
Too much perfectly good – and safe – food is pitched because of “sell by,” “best by,” “better if used by” and “expires on” dates. Most of these dates refer to food quality, not food safety. Infant formula is the ONLY exception. Pay attention to the manufacturer’s dates and wording. But by summer 2018, hopefully the food industry will have voluntarily adopted the new standards for wording about quality and safety of food products. This initiative, proposed in February 2017 by the Food Marketing Institute and Grocery Manufacturers Association, suggests using just two standard phrases, as opposed to the over 10 previously used. “Best if used by” describes product quality, where the product may not taste or perform as expected but is safe to use. “Use by” applies to the few products that are highly perishable and/or have a food safety concern over time. These products should be consumed by the date listed on the package and then disposed of after that date.
