Decoding food dates

Do the different kinds of dates on food products in supermarkets make as much sense as rocket science? Well, you are not alone. The 'use by', 'sell by', 'best before' information does tend to confuse, as they signify 'expiry date' to most users.

However, there is more to them than just shelf life. Understanding the dates means saving on health and shopping budget.

The ingredients for your favourite sandwich are neatly assembled on the kitchen counter. Just then realisation strikes that the mayonnaise is past its expiry date. With a heavy heart, you settle for a salad instead.

There are many out there who would just not have bothered with the date and gone with the 'smell test'. If it smells fine, it must be fine. But, as recent food poisoning reports in the local media have shown, we need to take extra care - it will help us save our health and money.

All edible products in a supermarket have a date published on it. But there are different kinds of dates, such as 'use by' and 'best before'. We take a look at how to decipher this information so people can shop in a more informed manner and wipe out lifestyle waste.

The 'use by' and 'best before' date provided by the manufacturer is an indication of how long a product will remain at its best quality. However, it is not a safety date that signifies when the product has to be discarded.

After this date has passed, the product could undergo a steady change in its texture, colour and flavour. But, if an individual stores the item as per the directions on the can or packet, he or she could consume it well beyond this date. However, each item has a specific life span after its 'use by' or 'best before' date.

For example, an egg cannot be tasted, but it is safe for consumption as long as it was stored properly. The Egg Safety Centre, in Washington, DC, US, states that the dates visible on an egg carton are not for safety purposes. They are generally used as a guide for stores to know when to stop selling them.

Raw eggs maintain their quality up to five weeks "from the day you purchase it", as long as they are refrigerated. The only time an egg isn't safe for consumption is if it is cracked or damaged in some way. It is then advisable to discard.

A lot of people purchase canned food items. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) notes that the best before date on these cans are not definite. They indicate how long a food item will remain at peak quality.

Keeping quality in mind, it is advisable to eat the canned items as soon as possible. However, according to the USDA, an individual can consume unopened cans after the best before date. Although, caution has to be practised based on the life span of each product. They need to be stored in a cool and dry place. Damaged cans should be thrown out immediately.

In the same category, some products are sold with a specific expiry date, which is the fate sealer. Once this date has passed, an individual should get rid of the product. It is unsafe to consume expired products.

Some individuals decide to donate expired food, hoping to earn a good deed in return. However, this is not the right way to go.

The Utah Food Bank in the US, which provides services to fulfil the needs of low-income families, refuses to accept any item if the expiry date has passed. They, however, are willing to take in products for up to three years after the best before date.

The only product that is an exception is bottled water. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US, unopened bottled water remains safe indefinitely, if it is properly sealed and not damaged. If stored for a long period of time, the water might taste slightly different, but the FDA states that it is still safe to drink.

Therefore, the expiry date published on water bottles by manufacturers indicates the level of quality, not safety.

Another date visible on some products is the 'sell by' date. This is entirely for the purpose of informing stores until when they could store a product. A customer should not worry about this date. If the sell by date has crossed, the product is still useable for a specific period, if stored correctly.

LIFE SPAN OF ITEMS

Most food items have a 'best before' date. However, in most cases, unopened products are safe for consumption even after that date, as long as they have been stored properly and the package is not damaged.

Here is a list of products with their actual life span from the date of manufacturing:

• Canned fruits: 12-18 months
• Dried fruit: 6 months
• Butter: 1 month in refrigerator, 6-9 months in freezer
• Cheddar cheese: 1 week in refrigerator, 3 months in freezer
• Fresh milk: 1 week in refrigerator, 3 months in freezer
• Milk UHT: 6 months in pantry
• Mozzarella cheese: 2-3 weeks in refrigerator, 2 months in freezer
• Yoghurt: 7-10 days in refrigerator, 1-2 months in freezer
• Carrots: 3-4 weeks in refrigerator, 12-18 months in freezer
• Chickpeas: 2 days in refrigerator, 10-12 months in freezer
• Iceberg lettuce: 1-2 weeks in refrigerator
• Salmon: 1-2 days in refrigerator, 2-3 months in freezer
• Beef burgers: 6 months in freezer
• Mayonnaise: 3-4 months in refrigerator
• Whole chicken: 1-2 days in refrigerator, 1 year in freezer
• Corn starch: It can be stored indefinitely in a cool, dry area
• Rice: It can be stored indefinitely in a cool, dry area
• Salt: It can be stored indefinitely in a cool, dry area
• Sugar: It can be stored indefinitely in a cool, dry area
• Lentils: 1 year in a cool, dry area
• Chewing gum: 8-10 months
• Chocolates: 2-3 weeks, 2 months in refrigerator, 6 months in freezer
• Hummus: The cans can last 2-4 weeks in a cool, dark place.
• Ice cream: 1-2 weeks in freezer
• Lollipops: 1 year
• Baking powder: 6 months
• Baking soda: 2 years
• Cookies: 1 month, 8-12 months in freezer
• Coffee: 1 year if stored properly
• Tea bags: 18 months
• Eggs: 3-5 weeks in the refrigerator
• Jam: 1 year in the refrigerator
• Whole wheat bread: 4-5 days, 3 months in freezer
• Potato chips: 2 months in a cool, dry place

Fact box

• Manufacturing date: The date an item is produced and sent to the market for sale.
• Use by or Best before date: Tells customers how long the product is likely to remain at peak quality. But it is not a safety date.
• Expiry date: The date after which a product should be discarded.
• Packing codes: Helps stores rotate their stock. Not an indicator of food safety or quality.
• Sell by date: To inform stores until when they could store a product.
  
  Do you check the expiry date of products you buy? Do you follow them? Do you have any special tips to store food?

Your comments

Thank you Gulf news, very informative article. Kindly include more articles on Food Safety as an awareness for the community. You can get a wealth of information's from the respective Gov. Food Safety Authorities. My suggestion to my friends is to inform the respective Gov. Food Safety Authorities by calling the toll free numbers, rather than informing the food outlet Manager only.
Sen Eapen
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: August 02, 2009, 16:58

yesterday I purchased some time from a supermarket. I got one item expires on 08/2009 when i was sorting my purchase. Take care whether it is big grocery or small hypermarket.
Monowar
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: August 02, 2009, 14:27

We see a lot of food products, specially bakery items around with expiry dates so difficult to read. I think they are intentionally made unreadable or unclear. The manufacturer should make intentional efforts to make them prominent.
Trevor Augustin
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 02, 2009, 13:38

A very useful information. Thanks!!
Yogit Yadav
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 02, 2009, 11:27

How could do you say that the only time an egg isn't safe for consumption is if it is cracked or damaged in some way? We had more than once incident where the eggs were kept in refrigerator for a non-extended period of time. There were no cracks on it. While cracking them, we found that, they were decayed! Had they been boiled and consumed, it would have gone unnoticed and people who consume it unknowingly would have ended up getting food poisoning. A floating test is what applies to eggs. If you submerge an egg in water, if it is fresh it will lie at the bottom. If it is a week old or so, it will stay at the bottom but will bob a little. A three weeks old egg will balance on its small end with the large end facing upwards. A bad egg one will float, do not consume it!
Paul
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 02, 2009, 10:56

dear pls read carefully and act accordingly next time you do some purchase
Sheena
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: August 02, 2009, 10:18

I check the expiry dates of all the products I buy. In case a product has crossed the expiry date and is still kept in a supermarket, I inform the manager. While buying products, we must keep in mind the requirement of the same and as to how soon we would consume it *Freezer items must never be kept in the fridge or chiller. * When stuff doesn't smell or taste correct even before the expiry date, it is sensible to dispose the same. *Bread and bakery products must be stored in a dry and cool area, preferably in airtight containers. *Cans and tetra packs must be stored away in the pantry or in cooler areas of the kitchen.* Oils must be used within a month of opening the can as it tends to turn rancid.* Stacking foods as per the expiry dates helps in avoiding waste.* Re-arrange the pantry and shelves fortnightly to check for products nearing expiry dates. Planning purchases beforehand helps us in saving money and avoiding wastage.
Naina Nair
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: August 02, 2009, 10:01

yes always follow the expiry date of any product because nothing is important than health and for saving few floos why put life in danger and after spend 10 times more for medication and hospitalization.its better to be consious while purchasing and consuming the products with care and caution.
Shahzad Sheikh
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 02, 2009, 09:55

The article is very informative in all aspects. It is mandatory to display production and expiry date of all products, especially foodstuff, selling in the retail market. Perhaps in a hurry to pick up items from the shelves people might not pay much attention to these details which does not mean that they are unaware of the importance of looking at the quality of items they purchase. We don't use any items beyond its expiry period printed on it, particularly food items. Though you have indicated some of the food produces can be used at an extended time, we strictly follow the validity printed on the label. I have at some occasions observed expired food items displayed on the store shelves, which was removed immediately when informed to duty staff. I think the local law insists these details to be shown on every product whether it is imported or locally produced, for the sake of maintaining good health care. I do not personally feel that consuming food items beyond its expiry date could lead to food-poisoning and other health issues, but it is always advisable to strictly follow the guidelines set by the manufacturing companies. Individually, all of us can ensure that we purchase items that have enough storage time for safe usage.
Ramachandran Nair
Ruwi,Oman
Posted: August 02, 2009, 09:09

Very informative
Sibtain Bukhar
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 02, 2009, 08:42