If you’ve ever tossed out a carton of milk or a container of yogurt solely because the date on the packaging had passed, you’re not alone. Many people throw away food simply because of the date printed on the label. But often it is still perfectly edible, according to experts.…
Even grocers get this wrong. I asked a grocer if I could get a mark down on beer that was past the best by date. Was told “actually I cannot sell that to you” before taking it off to the back room.
In more progressive regions, food past the date is given to charity, who then know more about the meanings of the dates and the safety tolerances.
I volunteer at a food bank, and I can tell you
food past the date is given to charityis correct. Howeverwho then know more about the meanings of the dates and the safety tolerances.is wholly incorrect at our food bank. As long as there is no visible mold it is given out. If there is no way to inspect it, it is given out.It sucks that there’s so little expertise or interest in being academic about it. Over the decades these things have been running for, there should be a database of which foods are generally fine to ignore any best by date, what specifically is best by that date and how it isn’t as good after, what to watch out for on the safety side of things, and when to not risk it.