This weekend, I was pouring a little half-and-half into my cup of coffee (not Folgers) when I saw something extremely disturbing: The creamer was 34 days beyond the expiration date.
Yes, 34 days.
Of course, the first thought that immediately crossed my mind was: You idiot!
Considering that I was on my third cup, the next thought that popped into my head was: Maybe I should call 9-1-1.
Then again, maybe not.
After regaining my composure, I realized this was the same “expired” creamer that I had been using for over a month without gastric repercussions.
In fact, upon further reflection, my first two cups of coffee that morning tasted absolutely delicious. Even so, I still wasn’t sure the creamer was good.
So I reopened the carton and took a sniff; the half-and-half smelled fresh.
Then I tasted it, sans coffee. It tasted as fresh as the day I bought it on, um, well… let me get back to you on that.
So what’s going on here? I always figured companies built a safety margin into their expiration dates to protect dummies like me. But 34 days?
How many people are wasting their money tossing out perfectly good food because they trust the expiration date? Here’s how to know if it’s okay to eat food past its expiration date.
An Expiration Date Primer
According to StillTasty, a website food-storage guide, not all expiration dates in the US are created equally.
The only products that should always be eaten before the date on a label are those with an “expires on” marking. Otherwise, it’s a judgment call.
For example, perishables have “sell by” dates that indicate how long a store can keep a particular product on the shelf. StillTasty notes that even if you buy ground beef on the “sell by” expiration date, you can safely refrigerate it for two days.
Properly stored pasteurized milk typically lasts five to seven days past the carton date. Even better, ultra-pasteurized products typically last longer than that. My half-and-half was ultra-pasteurized.
Then there are “use by,” “best if used by,” “best by,” and “best before” dates, which are not safety dates at all. Instead, they’re quality dates that US manufacturers voluntarily provide for shelf-stable items such as ketchup and mustard. They indicate when consumers may notice otherwise harmless changes in flavor, color or texture.
Eating 10-Year-Old Ravioli
Some products, like canned fruits and vegetables can survive far beyond their listed dates. In fact, when properly stored, most canned food will last five years with no loss of flavor or nutritional value – and 20 years or longer with only minor degradation.
I can vouch for this, as I occasionally sample my emergency food stores. Last year, I opened a 10-year-old can of ravioli and consumed the contents with no gastrointestinal repercussions whatsoever. The color of the tomato sauce was a bit darker than normal, but the ravioli’s flavor was perfectly fine.
Exceptions to the Rule
Thankfully, there are some exceptions to the rule. For example, items including canned pineapple and peaches have shorter lifespans; their acidity tends to compromise the cans. So, store them in glass jars.
Others, such as diet cola, degrade relatively quickly if they remain on the shelf beyond their expiration date.
Some products can last almost indefinitely under the right conditions. These so-called “sturdy staples” include honey, rice, hard liquor, maple syrup, distilled white vinegar, cornstarch, salt, sugar, and non-artificial pure vanilla extract.
Of course, fresh conventional and organic fruits and vegetables have no expiration dates at all. At least not officially.
Tricks and Tips
If you want to eat food past its expiration date there are tricks you can use to extend its shelf life. For example, StillTasty recommends storing bananas at room temperature until they become ripe, and then putting them in the refrigerator to extend their shelf life. Just don’t panic when you notice the refrigerated banana skins turning black; the fruit will remain unaffected.
I love homegrown tomatoes. They’ll reach their maximum flavor and juiciness if you keep them out of the refrigerator until they are fully ripened. StillTasty claims that you can then extend those tomatoes’ shelf life even further by placing them in a plastic bag and refrigerating them.
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, there are many factors that determine how long products will remain fresh and safe to eat including location and storage temperature – colder storage temps and dry locations usually prolong product freshness.
If you’re going to eat food past its expiration date, make sure you understand the guidelines. Instead of taking expiration dates literally, let your senses be your guide.
You may just avoid throwing away perfectly good food – and save a little money in the process.
Photo Credit: Ashley Davidson
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