fla4fun
DIS Legend
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2006
- Messages
- 18,397
One thing to keep in mind about dates on packaging - there are three different types of dates and they mean different things.
Sell By Date - the store will keep the item out on the shelf until this date, but it is not expired on this date. They are allowing for the time you will have it in your home before consuming it.
Best By Date - this is a designation that lets you know the food will have the peak freshness until that date, but it is not an expiration date. It is safe to consume after that date for a period of time. Items with a Best By Date tend to be items that will go stale, rather than spoil, such as crackers, chips, bread, etc.
Expiration Date - This is a date to take more seriously because the food may not be safe to eat after this date. If the item has an Expiration Date, look at the items in the store and choose one with the longest amount of time between purchasing and expiring. If the item smells off or looks unusual even though it has not reached the expiration date, don’t eat it. Milk is one item that can spoil before the expiration date. I place it in the back of the fridge to keep it as cold as possible, and buy smaller containers. Most of the time I choose to use canned milk in cooking instead of trying to keep fresh milk, well, fresh.
All of these dates can be affected by how the item is stored. If you are freezing a loaf of bread, for example, it will last past the Best By Date. I live alone right now, and still buy meat in larger packages. I break it down into individual portions and freeze them. I either thaw it overnight in the refrigerator or cook it from frozen, depending on the item. I don’t think it’s safe to leave meat out on the counter overnight or through the day to thaw. Fresh produce gets broken down into individual servings, and I freeze all of it but maybe one or two servings which I will eat right away.
I was taught growing up that leftovers can be kept for four days in the fridge before they should be thrown out. I have always counted the days as initial preparation is day one, and then three days to reheat leftovers. If I make more than I know I will eat in that time, half of it is frozen on day one in individual servings to thaw at a later date. I do not allow the food to sit out for more than 30 minutes before putting leftovers in the fridge. I have never had any foodbourne illnesses from following these guidelines.
Food is so expensive, and I am currently unemployed so my budget is very strict. I do everything I can to make sure I stay healthy without throwing food away. Good luck with your budget!
as a result we used up all of the frozen leftovers except some soup (not a fan of it in hot weather) and i even broke out my crockpot (and learned it would cook it's final meal-RIP 'crocky', you served us well-we will share your tales of valour and sing your praises with the newly ordered crockpot
).
