Should You Trust Sell-by And Expiry Dates?

Most people are paranoid about sell-by dates and hence end up throwing foodstuffs which can be used well past their sell-by-dates. Some foods you should bin, with some you can afford to sin a little and others last for ages so you win all round.

Here’s a list of what foodstuffs you should keep and what you need to throw.

BIN
These are foods you shouldn't take risks with. They probably won't kill you, but you might end up with a tummy bug.

Shop-Bought Sandwiches: Only risk one day past the sell-by date.

Cooked Meats: Throw these out a day after their sell-by date, unless you re-cook thoroughly until piping hot.

Soft Cheeses: They can harbour a nasty bug called listeria, which is very dangerous to small children and pregnant women, so this is not worth the risk.

SIN
They won't be at their best but there's nothing wrong with these nutritionally or safety-wise for up to two weeks after the sell-by date.

Eggs: If they are stamped, they're from chickens inoculated against salmonella and will keep for weeks in the fridge. If there's no stamp, use within a week of the sell-by date.

Poultry: Chicken and other raw meat will be inedible long before it's dangerous. As long as you cook it until it's boiling hot, you're in no danger. Chicken can be kept a week or so after its sell-by date.

Milk: Even if opened, milk is often fine to drink three or four days after its use by date. Sour milk won't harm you - use it up in sauces and cooking.

Bread: Most breads have antifungal agents, so they'll last for days after the sell-by date. Scrape off any mould and toast it.

Soft Fruit: Berries, peaches and plums last a couple of weeks in the fridge. Even when they start to taste 'fermenty' they're still good for you.

Seafood: It smells and looks unpleasant well before it becomes unsafe.

WIN
These foods can last for months, even years, so don't throw them away unless they taste bad.

Apples: Last for months and there's no evidence that they're not nutritionally as good as when they're first picked.

Potatoes: They last for months in a cool place but if they grow shoots this indicates the presence of a chemical called solanine, which could make you ill, so chop green bits off before cooking.

Tins And Jars: Baked beans or tuna will last centuries - or until the tin becomes damaged or rusty. The flavour may go after 20 years, though. Jam, ketchup or curry pastes will last for years while sealed but once opened they'll only survive a few months.

Chocolate: This will last for ages. The fat may crystallise and turn white and the flavour fades but it's safe to eat.

Hard Cheese: Cheddar lasts for months as cheese making is a safe way of preserving milk. Just cut off any mould.

Frozen Food: As long as frozen meat, fish or vegetables are kept frozen they will last virtually for ever, although the flavour will deteriorate. Eat within a few days of defrosting.

Dry Foods: Crisps, biscuits, rice and pasta will last for years. Crisps and cakes will last for months but, once exposed to moisture in the air, they go rancid quite quickly and taste stale.


WHAT EXACTLY DO THEY MEAN?
In our rush to chuck things out we often confuse the terms "use by" and "best before". Follow our guide to what they really mean:

USE BY - These are the only dates to worry about and are found mainly on meat and sandwiches. These dates are pretty random. There's no exact science and manufacturers work in a margin of safety, so if you keep the food under perfect conditions, it's safer for longer.

BEST BEFORE - It is used on less perishable foods which only lose their eating quality. If it tastes fine, there's no reason to throw this food away on this date.

SELL BY OR DISPLAY UNTIL - This has no legal meaning and is only for the use of shelf-stacking staff. So, ignore it. (Mumbai Mirror)
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