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Shelf life ≠ Best before date. I've been ignorant for so many years~

Release time:

2015-02-03

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Abstract

In life, many people regard the expiration date as the boundary beyond which food spoils and becomes inedible. However, a recent media report stated that EU countries are planning to abolish the expiration dates of some foods such as pasta, rice, and coffee. This is because an EU report indicates that up to 89 million tons of food are wasted annually due to this. Experts say that the expiration date is not the final consumption date for foods such as bread and biscuits.

Many people consider the expiration date as the limit for food spoilage and inedibility. However, recent media reports indicate that EU countries are planning to remove expiration dates for certain foods such as pasta, rice, and coffee. This is because an EU report points out that up to 89 million tons of food are wasted annually due to this practice. Experts say that the expiration date is not the final consumption date for bread, biscuits, and other foods.

Determining whether "expired food" is edible requires knowledge.

Expiration Date ≠ Last Edible Date, but prolonged storage affects taste.

Many equate the expiration date with the last edible date, discarding food immediately upon expiry.

Nutrition experts point out that the definition of expiration date is "the quality assurance period under normal conditions." Within the expiration date, manufacturers are responsible for product quality, so it is recommended to consume within the expiration date. However, the expiration date is not the sole criterion for determining whether food has spoiled. Food may spoil prematurely within the expiration date due to changes in storage methods and environment. For example, after opening the packaging, the expiration date will be shortened. After the expiration date, food is not necessarily spoiled or inedible; this requires self-judgment.

The expiration date does not equal the last edible date. After the expiration date, some foods are still safe to eat, but their quality may have deteriorated to some extent. For example, after frozen food expires, pathogenic bacteria may not exceed the standard, and cooking and consumption may not cause adverse reactions. However, due to prolonged storage, the flavor and taste have changed, the taste is not fresh, the vitamin content has decreased, and the fat may have undergone slight oxidation.

Of course, to know whether a certain food can still be eaten after its expiration date, one needs to judge for oneself. Let's ask experts for some tips.

Staple Foods

Bread typically has an expiration date of 3-7 days. After the expiration date, if it is only dry, it can be made into breadcrumbs. If it is moldy or sour, it cannot be eaten. The situation for steamed buns is similar to bread; if there are mold spots, it should be discarded. Crackers have low water content. If they are in sealed packaging, the expiration date is generally more than one year. As long as they are not leaking or damp, even if they are expired, they can generally still be eaten if the taste has not changed.

Milk and Dairy Products

Expired milk, if it appears as a thick and uneven solution, or has lumps or flocculent matter, should be discarded. In summer, even if it looks normal, try boiling it. If lumps form after boiling, it indicates that the bacteria exceed the standard, and it cannot be drunk. Milk powder does not contain water and has a longer shelf life. If the expiration time is not long, and there is no darkening of color, no visible impurities or foreign objects, and no stale, moldy, or rancid smell, it can still be eaten.

If there are only slight lumps, it can be used to make desserts or dishes and reused by heating.

Dried Fruits

Vacuum-packed dried fruits have a shelf life of up to six months to a year, but once the packaging is opened, problems can occur within the expiration date. Therefore, if such foods have a rancid smell or taste bitter and sour, they should be discarded. If the texture is not crisp, it means it has absorbed water and will quickly spoil, become moldy, and oxidize and become rancid, and should not be consumed.

Sausages and Other Meat Products

If vacuum-packed and stored in dry, frozen conditions, the nutrition will be slightly less, and the shelf life can reach 3 years. After the expiration date, if there is a rancid smell or the casing is sticky, it indicates microbial reproduction and cannot be consumed.

Beverages

Generally, they are sealed. After the expiration date, if there is no obvious change in appearance, no discoloration, turbidity, or precipitation, the taste should be the standard. If there is an unusual smell, it cannot be drunk.

Canned Goods

Canned goods are sealed, so they have a long shelf life. When purchasing, be careful not to buy swollen cans. If the expiration date has passed and the can is swollen, it often means that the food has been contaminated by bacteria, and such cans must be discarded. If the can is not swollen, open it and smell it. If there is a sour or strange smell, it cannot be eaten. If there is rust inside the can, it should not be consumed. In addition, even if there is no change in taste after the expiration date, it should be heated before eating.

Ice Cream Shelf Life is Unrelated to Quality; "Deformed Appearance" Ice Cream is Prone to Bacterial Growth

In the summer heat, eating ice cream is naturally refreshing. However, some ice cream has a shelf life of only six months, while others have a shelf life of up to two years.

Industry insiders say that the difference in the shelf life of ice cream is mainly due to its different ingredients. For example, ice cream containing fruits or nuts generally has a shorter shelf life than single-flavored popsicles. Ice cream containing mung beans or red beans generally cannot exceed 18 months.

Relevant personnel from the quality supervision department also said that the length of the shelf life of frozen desserts is not directly related to their quality. As long as they are strictly controlled under low-temperature storage conditions, there will be no food safety hazards.

At the same time, nutrition experts remind that some ice cream is not strictly controlled under low-temperature conditions during transportation or sales, causing it to melt and then be refrozen, leading to deformation in appearance. Consumers should be cautious when purchasing such ice cream. Because melted ice cream is prone to bacterial growth, even refreezing cannot completely kill microorganisms, which may cause food hygiene and safety problems.

EU Countries Plan to Take Measures or Remove Expiration Dates for Rice, Coffee, etc.

Statistics show that 89 million tons of food are wasted in EU countries every year, resulting in significant waste. To this end, EU countries plan to take countermeasures, such as removing expiration dates for foods like pasta, rice, and coffee in the future.

Recently, EU agriculture ministers will hold a meeting. German media pointed out that the Netherlands and Sweden may propose removing expiration dates for some foods at the meeting. In addition, the German Retail Association also plans to remove the longest expiration dates for some foods, turning them into "non-expiring foods." These foods may include tea, coffee, pasta, and hard cheese. It is understood that some products are currently not required to be labeled with expiration dates, such as sugar, salt, and honey. Greenpeace calls for further expansion of the categories.

Experts say this is a significant step. Expanding the range of food types will reduce waste, as many people consider the expiration date as the limit for food spoilage and inedibility.

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