Food Expiration Dates

What does "Best if Used by" mean?

• the food will go bad if you don't eat it by this date

• the food will be at it's best flavor and quality if eaten before this date

• no one really knows

How can you tell if a food is still good after the "best if used by" date?

• If the products have changed noticeably in color, consistency or texture, consumers may want to avoid eating them

• Food never goes bad

• Food automatically spoils after the "best if used by" date, so throw it out

According to the FDA, confusion over date labeling accounts for an estimated _____________ of consumer food waste.

• 50 percent

• 10 percent

• 20 percent

Since most date labels are not the date that the food actually spoils, what are the dates really for?

• no one really knows

• to inform consumers and retailers when to throw the food away

• to inform consumers and retailers when the food has the best flavor and quality

Food date labels are often suggestions that have more to do with quality than __________

• safety

• quantity

• freshness

Foods marked _________________ remain good for several days past that date.

• "made on"

• "for sale"

• "sell by"

_______________ indicates the date the item will begin to lose its freshness.

• ingredient list

• "use by"

• "sell by"

Enjoy _______ up to five weeks past the stamped date.

• eggs

• milk

• yogurt

The USDA recommends that you cook or freeze meat, poultry, and fish within _________of purchase no matter what the date on the package says.

• two days

• five days

• two weeks

If you have questions about a food's expiration date, contact the __________________

• USDA

• manufacturer

• FDA