• California has banned expiration dates on food packaging starting in July 2026. Terms such as “best if used by” or “use by” may be used instead.

• The objective of this bill is to address the fact that confusing food labels contribute to significant food waste.
  

• Canned and dried products are generally in good condition after the expiration dates listed on the labels, especially if they show no signs of deterioration, such as dents or rust.

• To assess the freshness of your food, rely on sight, smell and taste, especially for perishable foods.

Every year, almost 120 billion pounds of food is wasted in the United States alone. While much of this can be attributed to supply chain issues, overly high cosmetic standards for products, and other systemic challenges, there is another, often overlooked, factor: confusion between dates on food packaging labels. In fact, this confusion could account for up to seven percent of food waste in the United States, according to a study by the non-profit association ReFed.

But change is on the horizon. In an effort to reduce food waste and help consumers better understand the shelf life of their food, California Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed a bill banning the use of expiration dates on most food packaging, except for infant formula, eggs, pasteurized eggs in the shell, or beer and other malt beverages. Sell-by dates indicate a deadline for retailers to sell their products. California is now the first state to ban expiration dates and mandate standardized food labeling.

Whether you live in California or not, deciphering the often confusing labels on cans and bottles can be frustrating. According to the Natural Resources Defense CouncilMore than 50 different types of date labels appear on packaged foods in grocery stores. The most common include “sell by,” “use by,” “freeze,” and “best if used by/before.” However, none of these labels In fact indicate when a product is expired.

Understanding these labels is crucial for buyers to feel confident and secure. Not only can reducing the amount of perfectly good food thrown away help reduce your grocery billsbut it also reduces harmful emissions caused by rotting food in landfills. Knowing that up to 40% of America’s food supply is wasted each year, every effort counts.

While this all sounds promising, the question remains: If food date labels don’t provide the best indicators of when to throw out our food, how can we avoid accidentally consuming (or purchasing) expired products? Unlike fresh produce like milk or meat, which clearly show signs of deterioration, it is much more difficult to know, for example, if a can of beans is still safe to eat. To answer this deceptively tricky question, we consulted nutrition, cooking, and food safety experts to ask: keep or throw away?

Front sale or best sale

When it comes to reduce food waste at homeThere is a distinct difference between the different date labels on foods you see at the grocery store. Part of the reason California chose to ban sales labels is because they don’t convey anything meaningful to consumers.

As a food safety and policy expert Dr. Darin Detwiler explain, a sell-by date is “literally about stock turnover.” For example, he notes, if you go to the store now, you’ll probably see Halloween-themed cereal boxes with instructions to “stop selling on November 1.” On the other hand, “expiration dates indicate when a product may begin to lose its freshness“, says Detwiler. However, this does not mean that it is dangerous to eat after this date. A use-by or freeze-by date indicates the safety date of the food, according to the legislation.

Instead of relying solely on these labels, Detwiler recommends using your senses – sight, smell and taste – to determine if food is still safe to eat. Good housekeepingNutrition Director Stefani Sassos, MS, RDNagrees. “It is very important to use common sense and check for signs of deterioration,” advises Sassos.

What foods can I eat (safely) after the expiration date?

In general, shelf-stable foods – such as jerky, canned goods, bottled goods, and dry grains like rice and flour – are usually safe to eat after the expiration date listed on the label. label, with a few exceptions.

“If a can is dented, rusty or bulging, avoid it,” advises Good housekeepingthe chief food director of Kate Merker. However, if a can shows no obvious signs of deterioration, Merker feels comfortable cooking with it. “Canned beans and tomatoes are what I stock the most,” she says. “I’ll use them in soups, chilis, stews, and sauces no matter how long they’ve been on my shelves.”

For more tips on shelf-stable foods, see this fact sheet from the USDA.

However, just because food is safe doesn’t mean it will always taste good, Merker says. “I discovered that the expiration date can be directly related to the taste and texture of food,” she says. “The further you get from the expiration date, the more you need to adjust your expectations. »

This is especially true for frozen products. “The lifespan of freezers can be difficult,” adds Merker. While most foods can be frozen safely for months, or even longer, their taste, texture and nutritional value may begin to decline over time.

How can I check for signs of deterioration?

In addition to checking the packaging, observation, smell and tasting are other important ways to assess the safety and freshness of your food.

“It’s important to educate yourself about the signs of food spoilage,” says Sassos. “We often think of visual indicators like mold, but we also need to pay attention to unpleasant smells, flavors or textures.” While it’s important to be aware of food waste, don’t hesitate to throw something away if you’re on the fence. “If you question it,” Sassos adds, “chances are something is wrong.”

Merker agrees, noting, “I grew up in a house where the sniff and then taste test was paramount for everyone — except, of course, when there was visible mold. » Sassos also points out that proper food storage is crucial to preventing waste: “Food spoilage can occur much more quickly if food is not stored or handled correctly. »

Does the nutritional value deteriorate over time?

In addition to quality, there is evidence that the nutritional value of foods can decrease over time, especially products. It depends on the type of food and how it is stored, says Sassos. For example, “if a food container is opened for a week and exposed to light and air, it may lose some of its nutritional benefits.” However, she adds, “that’s not a reason why we can’t lose sleep.”

Are there any foods I should never eat after the expiration date?

Of course, there are some products for which you should never ignore the expiration or use-by date. “Infant formula, of course“, says Sassos. As for meats, poultry and dairy products, “it’s important to be very careful and watch for signs of spoilage,” she advises. These signs include unpleasant odors, discoloration, and a slimy texture, among other indicators.

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