What Expiration Dates REALLY Mean (It’s NOT What You Think!)

Summary

This video unpacks the truth behind expiry dates on food, revealing common misconceptions and offering clarity. It explains that many expiry dates are about quality, not safety, and were introduced to protect consumers and reduce lawsuits. The video breaks down the different types of dates—'Best Before,' 'Use By,' and 'Sell By'—and explores how manufacturers decide on these dates. The key takeaway: expiry dates are guidelines, not an exact science. By understanding their real meaning, viewers can reduce food waste, save money, and make smarter choices at the store.

Takeaways

• 😀 Expiry dates are often misunderstood and don't always indicate when food becomes unsafe to eat.
• 😀 Most expiry dates are quality markers, not safety warnings, and were introduced in the 20th century as food started being sold in large quantities.
• 😀 'Best before' dates refer to food quality, not safety, and food is often still safe to eat after this date if stored properly.
• 😀 'Use by' dates are about safety, particularly for perishable foods like meat, fish, and dairy, as bacteria can grow after this date.
• 😀 'Sell by' dates are intended for retailers and show how long stores should display products, not when they become dangerous to consume.
• 😀 Food manufacturers choose expiry dates based on controlled testing, focusing on ensuring food quality, not necessarily the last safe day.
• 😀 Expiry dates tend to be conservative, so food often lasts longer than indicated on the label, especially for canned, dry, and frozen products.
• 😀 Canned goods, pasta, rice, chocolate, and honey can last well beyond their printed expiry date without becoming unsafe.
• 😀 Smell, appearance, and texture are often better indicators of food safety than a printed expiry date.
• 😀 Expiry dates help reduce waste and protect consumers, but common sense and sensory checks should also play a role in deciding whether food is still good.
• 😀 Understanding expiry dates can save money, reduce food waste, and help you make smarter choices about food consumption.

Q & A

What does the 'expiry date' on food really mean?

Expiry dates are not always about safety. They often serve as quality markers, indicating when the product may start to lose its freshness, texture, or flavor. The dates are sometimes conservative estimates chosen by manufacturers to ensure the product meets their quality standards.

How did expiry dates become common on food products?

Expiry dates became common in the 20th century as food began traveling long distances, sitting on shelves, and being sold to a wider population. Manufacturers introduced these dates to protect consumers, reduce lawsuits, and ensure consistent quality.

Is it safe to eat food after its expiry date?

It depends on the type of food. For many products, especially dry, canned, or frozen foods, the expiry date is more about quality than safety. Foods like fresh meat, seafood, or unpasteurized dairy should be consumed by their use-by dates for safety reasons.

What is the difference between 'best before' and 'use by' dates?

'Best before' dates indicate when a product will start to lose quality in terms of flavor, texture, or freshness but is usually still safe to consume. 'Use by' dates, on the other hand, are safety indicators, especially for perishable products like fresh meat or dairy.

What is the purpose of 'sell by' dates?

'Sell by' dates are mainly for retailers, indicating how long to display the product. They are not meant to tell consumers when the food will become unsafe to eat.

Why do manufacturers sometimes choose conservative expiry dates?

Manufacturers often choose conservative dates to ensure the product meets their quality standards and to reduce legal risk. This is why many foods last longer than the printed date suggests, especially canned or dry foods.

Are expiry dates the same in every country?

No, in most countries, manufacturers set their own expiry dates, meaning the rules and regulations can vary. However, the dates are generally based on controlled conditions, like temperature, packaging, and storage time.

Should you completely trust expiry dates on food labels?

Expiry dates are a useful guide, but they shouldn't be the sole factor in deciding whether to eat food. Using your senses—smell, texture, and appearance—can often tell you more about the state of the food than the printed date.

How do expiry dates help reduce food waste?

By understanding that expiry dates often indicate quality, not safety, consumers can avoid throwing away perfectly edible food. This can reduce food waste and save money.

What types of food are most affected by expiry dates?

Fresh products like meat, seafood, and unpasteurized dairy are most affected by expiry dates because they are perishable. Other foods like rice, pasta, chocolate, honey, and canned goods are more about quality than safety after the printed date.