Every year, Americans discard tons of perfectly good food. Much of this waste can be traced to general confusion caused by the "sell by" or "use by" dates printed on most foods.
Did you know that infant formula is the only food manufacturer legally required to print those dates? Most others print this because it helps ensure that their products are consumed when they are at or near their peak of freshness. It isn't so much that the product expires as it is less desireable.
The USDA has more information on their procedures for food and poultry at this website: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/19013cb7-8a4d-474c-8bd7-bda76b9defb3/Food_Product_Dating.pdf?MOD=AJPERES
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All of this confusion can add up to a lot of edible trash: Food date labels may not mean what you think they mean | Harvest Public Media
With no explanation or legal definition of a “sell by,” “use by” or “best by” date, the manufacturers decide on the date based on their own assessment – which, of course, can differ among brands.
So as the date on a package approaches, there are several options as it sits on the shelf. Grocery stores may choose to compost it, donate it, or – like many households – just throw it out. Indeed, each year a family of four in the U.S. tosses away food worth between $1,300 and $2,200, according to Jonathan Bloom, author of “American Wasteland.”
Traditionally, “sell by” dates were meant to provide information to store owners so they can rotate their stock, according to food safety specialist Londa Nwadike. “Best by” and “use by” dates were recommended for the best quality. Nwadike said these dates were intended to help shoppers know not how safe a product is but how long it has been on the market.
It’s also important to note that consuming food before its printed “best by” date isn’t a blanket of protection from illness, especially if the food hasn’t been stored, cleaned and cooked properly.
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