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What Are Food expiration dates?
The term "food expiration dates" has become a generic term describing any date shown on a food product label.  While some food products do show "expiration dates" many products only show a sell by, best by or use by date.  Most of these dates are not related to food safety but in fact created to let consumers know when the product has reached its peak quality.  Most foods are safe and useable beyond those dates. Read complete article on food expiration dates including a chart with times foods can be used past their printed dates.

How long after sell by date can you use poultry?
Poultry should be cooked or frozen within 2 days after the sell-by date on the package. The product should not have any "off" odors. It it does it should be disposed of.

When do you throw away canned goods from grocery store?
Some, but not all canned goods have "best by" dates printed on the can but most can be stored beyond that date.  Rotate your canned goods so that you eat the oldest first within a target date of 1 year.  Here are some additional more specific guidelines from the USDA:  Store canned foods in a cool, dry place.  Low acid foods such as such as meat and vegetables can be store for up to 2 to 5 years.  High acid foods can be kept for up to 18 months. 

CAUTION: NEVER eat or event taste foods from a can which has rust, leaks, cracks, bulges or has any foul odor.  If the contents "spurt" out when the can is opened, dispose of it.  Don't use food from badly-dented cans (small dents are not a problem).  These could be signs of botulism and it can be deadly.
 

How long after the expiration date can you eat something?
It really depends on the type of date and the product.  See our use by chart on this page.

What is the expiration of date powder sugar?
Dry goods such as sugar, salt, flour (except flour with high fat content) really don't have any expiration dates and in fact they are rarely dated at all.  All of these products remain wholesome for several years if stored in a cool dry location.

Can you use baking powder or baking soda after the expiration date?
Dry leavening agents (baking powder, baking soda) will probably be marked with a "best used" date and if stored tightly sealed they most likely usable beyond that date.  Typically they last 6 months to a year but you can test the potency of baking powder or baking soda; here is how:

Test baking soda: mix 1/4 teaspoon baking soda with 2 teaspoons of vinegar and the mixture should bubble immediately; if not, replace it.

Test baking powder: mix 1 teaspoon baking powder with 1/2 cup hot water and the mixture should bubble immediately; if not, replace it


Can food coloring expire?
Food coloring does not expire nor does it tend to lose its coloring power. Make sure it remains well-sealed to prevent contamination from dust.

What does is the sell by date I see on food packages?
This date is provided by the manufacturer.  Although it is not legislated (except for a few items) this is the date by which the seller should sell the product.  This does not mean the food is unsafe to eat after this date.  Read complete article on food expiration dates including a chart with times foods can be used past their printed dates.

How long can you keep butter after sell by date?

Keep butter refrigerated 2 weeks to 2 months after the sell by date. But for storage more than a couple of weeks you should freeze butter.  Butter freezes very well make sure to package in a freezer bag or container.

Does flour have an expiration date?

There are no legislated expiration dates for flour in fact dry goods like flour, sugar and even pasta rarely have more than an encoded date.  In the case of most flours there is nothing to spoil so it does not "expire".  The exception being the higher the fat content the shorter the shelf life.  An example is whole wheat flour.  If you are not going to use whole wheat flour within a couple months from purchase then you should store it refrigerated in a tightly sealed container. 

How Long Is Milk Good After The Sell By Date
According to the Dairy Council of California - "The shelf life of milk is affected by several factors including how it is handled before and after it is purchased. When stored at 40 degrees Fahrenheit and not left out of the refrigerator for extended time periods, milk should last approximately 5-7 days past the "sell by" date."

Does Canned Soda Expire?
Technically, no.  There is not much to go "bad" with ingredients like water, sugar and caramel coloring.  Treat soft drinks like any other canned goods. Store in a cool, dry place.  If you stockpile soda, then rotate your stock yearly given the documented shelf life is about 1 year properly stored.  The product is unlikely to become harmful past a year but flavor may begin to degrade.  If you find soft drinks over a year old you can open one and taste it and use if it tastes OK.  Soft drink manufactures do use additives to prohibit bacterial growth.

NOTE:  Soft drinks in glass or plastic bottles should not be stored in sunlight.  Sunlight can cause chemical reactions with the soft drink contents.  While probably not life threatening it's best to avoid the problem by storing bottled soft drinks in a dark location.

 

 
More Resources
Consumer reports - consumer guide to food product dating

USDA - US Food Labeling guidelines fact sheet

SFGate - The Dating Game, Freshness labels are a manufacturers' free-for-all.

Cupboard Storage - From the Ohio State University

FDA Ingredient Labeling - What's in a food?  Article describes in laymen terms the how and why of food labeling in the U.S.

FDA Milestones in Food Labeling - complete list of dates and laws relating to the history of food labeling in the U.S.

Food Storage Guidelines - A comprehensive guide (charts) that show food storage guidelines.