Food Expiration Dates “Recommedations, Not Deadlines”

Wednesday, 13 April 2011 | by Pat's Picks

How bad does food have to get before you should toss it? The Boston Globe says relax, most “expired by” dates are “recommendations, not deadlines.” In an age where food-born illnesses are a dime a dozen, however, it can seem a little like tempting fate. That’s probably why Americans throw away 14 percent of their food purchases. Some people say they base their decision on price: it’s easier to throw away an old bag of $2 chips than a $12 hunk of cheese. According to the Globe, both the FDA and the USDA say “food can be safe beyond the expiration date if storage conditions are optimal.”

At Shelf Life Advice.com, you can plug in any food, by name or topic, and get its real life span.