Why Are There Dates on my Canned and Packaged Foods?
Canned foods last forever, right? RIGHT! Canned foods last indefinitely. Do not eat the food if the can is damaged, bulging or leaking regardless of the date. Also do not eat food that looks or smells funny.
Then what is the date there for? There are two reasons depending on how it’s worded.
If it’s a “sell by” date, then that’s not for the consumer. That is for the inventory manager at the store to let them know how long the food item should be available for sale. They should discount it by that date to move the product along.
If the package says “fresh through” it means just that. The manufacturer decided that the fresh through date is the last time you can eat that food for best quality and freshness. It is not a safety date. The food is not unsafe and is still edible after that date.
In fact, most of the terms used on labels and packaging whether it be canned, frozen, or fresh (like bagged salad) just refers to freshness.
Other terms that can be used interchangeably with “fresh through” are “use by”, “best by”, “best if used by” and “expiration”. Yes, even if it’s called an expiration date it’s about the freshness and flavor not safety.
What about “freeze by”? Same thing, freeze the product by that date to maintain the best quality.
When it comes to supplements the date is still about quality since vitamins and other supplements may start to lose potency after their expiration dates.
The federal government does not even require “food quality dates” on any food packaging except for infant formula. Requirements vary from state to state.
The general rule is canned foods are good for 2 years from the date of purchase and at least 2 years from the date of processing.
Exception: There’s always an exception. Some medications such as liquid antibiotics and eye drops are subject to bacterial contamination and should not be used after their expiration dates. Always follow your doctor’s instructions when it comes to taking any medications.
