When you are at a store or supermarket’s grocery section and plans on shopping for food, what do you consider first in selecting what you want to put on your food cart? Is it the brand name, the cost, the eye-catching food labels or the promos? These are all of good importance, but in choosing food one must also consider the “freshness labels” of food.

Food quality often has more to do with shelf life than food safety most of the time. In addition to nice tasting food, we want food that is safe to consume. It is advised to adhere to "sell-by," "expiration," and "use-by" dates. What do these phrases mean? Though, most food-dating is optional; it represents the manufacturer's best estimate of the product's lifespan.

Some foods, such as some meat or dairy products, deteriorate over time in a way that could pose a risk to food safety.

Freshness labels are indicated by phrases like "best before" and "better if used by/before." It provides you with information on how long the product will retain its optimum flavor and quality. There will be freshness dating on baked goods, cereals, snacks, frozen products, and some canned foods.

Best Before date. Sometimes known as Best Before End/BBE. After this date, the food will still be safe to eat, but it might not be at its peak, the taste may be stale. It may not have the same flavor or texture, or have a strange flavor. Only if the product is stored in accordance with the directions on the box will the best before date be accurate.

Use by. Food safety is the goal of the use by date. The most significant date to keep in mind is this one. Even if it seems and smells fine, never eat food that has beyond its use-by date since it could make you extremely ill. There is frequently a use by date on perishable foods including meat, yogurt, and eggs. You have one week to finish the products if it is stored properly. If the infant formula has passed its "use by" date, throw it away since its nutritious content may be weakened or compromised. Don't consume, cook, or freeze your food after the use-by date.

Even if your food doesn't have a date mark, it's still crucial to know if it's safe to eat it, especially if it's anything perishable like fresh produce, meat, eggs, or dairy products.

Checking the freshness labels of food is definitely the most important

In purchasing food, be aware and make sure to take a look at the appearance, the freshness and quality of the food. Be vigilant and aware when selecting, preparing and consuming food.

AA I Floricel N. Denopol, RND

References

Food Expiration Dates: What to Know

 Written by Katy Hebebrand

https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/do-food-expiration-dates-matter

Those Food Expiration Dates Don’t Mean What You Think They Do

Angela Cabotaje

https://rightasrain.uwmedicine.org/body/food/food-expiration-dates

Food Expiration Dates: What to Know

 Written by Katy Hebebrand

https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/do-food-expiration-dates-matter

Dates on food products. What do they mean?

https://extension.umn.edu/preserving-and-preparing/dates-food-products-what-do-they-mean