Mysteries of Grocery Store Dating

No, this is not a new singles club. The dates found on various items in the grocery store are helpful, but confusing. “Sell by” dates are for the grocer, indicating how long to display the product. The “best before” or “best if used by” dates refer to quality or flavor. “Use by” works like an expiration date.

Some dates can be misleading. When you buy fresh meat and the “sell by” date is five days away the meat is probably only at its peak for two days. Meat is suppose to be stored at 30 degrees Fahrenheit most home refrigerators are set at 40 degrees to keep other things in the refrigerator from freezing (like vegetables).

Food experts suggest you eat or freeze meat products within two days. Ground meat spoils more quickly than whole cuts of meat because there is more surface area for bacteria to grow on. 

Product dating is not required by U.S. federal laws except on infant formula and baby food, which must be monitored and withdrawn from shelves when out of date. Freshness dating is voluntary by manufacturer and compliance by your grocer is at their choice. So, the old saying “buyer beware” is still true. Always read the labels and decide when you plan to use the product.

You have an in-house microbiologist — if there is spoilage due to bacteria there will be an off odor that your nose will tell you about.

So, with these facts in mind let’s go shopping. Always check the expiration date. Buy items farthest back on the shelf for maximum shelf life. When stocking products, stores place the freshest items at the back of the shelves. This way, the merchandise keeps moving and doesn’t go stale at the store.

Depending on how soon you plan to use the product it may be worth your time to reach to the back. Use this same method at home when putting up your canned goods. No matter what the dates are, do not buy a can that is bulging or oozing at the side. Also, do not buy cans that are dented. The risk of getting spoiled food is not worth the savings you may make from the markdown basket. The recommended storage temperature is 65 degrees F for canned goods. Higher temperatures can reduce shelf-life by 50 percent. Foods canned in glass have a longer shelf-life, but must be stored in the dark to reduce natural chemical reactions.

Boxed baking goods can become rancid and the leavening agents can lose their potency. Check the dates on these items.  Why risk a flat cake or biscuit?

On eggs, the expiration is really the sell-by date. The eggs are usually good for two to three weeks after that date. A way to tell if the egg has passed it prime is the “float” test.  If an egg floats in salt water, it’s best to discard it. This saves cracking the egg and releasing a bad odor in the kitchen.

FLOAT TEST: Gently drop an egg into salt water (ratio: 2 tablespoons of salt to 2 cups of water). If the egg sinks and stays on the bottom it is about 3 to 6 days old. If it sinks and then floats at an angle it is more than a week old. If it sinks and stands on end it is about 2 weeks old. If it floats it is too old.

On your next trip to the store allow a little more time to study what you are spending your money on. Get the best you can for your money. Remember, when you reach for a tomato or potato at that moment you can choose the best one there. Don’t get home and find a bad spot or a bruise.

If you have questions or just want to chat I can be reached at PatsChat@livingston.net.