Expiration dates: Relevant? 

By Ella Paul, 2024 

Published 03/14/2023

Every food item we purchase from a store is labeled with an expiration date. Some people ignore these inked warnings while others follow them religiously, throwing out food items the second the date hits. While these dates are relevant, they do not always represent what people think.

When an expiration date hits it is not necessary to discard food instantly. Of course there are some exceptions to this with perishable items, but for the most part, the date is not representative of when a food item can no longer be eaten, but instead it states the date at which the food may begin to lose its optimum flavor, freshness, color, or texture. In fact, for many processed and prepackaged foods, especially snacks which are loaded with preservatives, this date virtually has no meaning. For the most part, non-perishable foods do not reach a date in which it is unsafe to consume them. Instead, they just may lack the flavor they once did. 

It is important to note that if foods are not stored properly, the expiration date may become more relevant. If the environment that a food is being stored in is in any of the extremes: moist vs dry, hot vs cold, etc, it may be at risk for becoming unsafe to eat. But generally speaking, if stored in average conditions, non-perishable foods can be eaten after an indefinite amount of time. 

Before cleaning out pantries and being so quick to discard uneaten food items from cabinets and pantries, it is important people consider the type of food and evaluate whether it might still be safe to eat it. This is an incredibly significant way to reduce food waste and also reduce excessive spending on groceries.