The date on your food doesn’t always tell you if it’s bad. It is often paired with “Best If Used By” or “Best By.” These dates don’t tell when food goes bad. The only food packages that need a “use by” date are for baby formula. People sometimes throw their food out because they think it has gone bad after these dates pass. This wrong belief causes a huge waste of food.
The date on your food tells you when the food will start to taste different or not as good. It doesn’t mean that it’s harmful. If you see changes in the food after the date passes, this means it might not taste as good.
However, you must store the food correctly. If you see advice on the food’s package about keeping it in the fridge, in a cool dry place, or frozen, follow it. If food is stored wrong, it can taste bad quicker. They may even grow bacteria faster.
