The Truth About Expiration Dates

Contrary to popular belief, there is very little science behind expiration dates.  Beyond infant formula and some meats, expiration and ’sell by’ dates are mere suggestions that hint at dates of freshness or quality, not safety.

Baby formula is regulated by the FDA to have exact amounts of certain nutrients, and because these nutrients degrade over time, these expiration dates must be closely monitored to maintain nutritional quality.  And the USDA only mandates that poultry be stamped with the date it was packaged.  That’s it.  That’s all that is really overseen by the government.  The average consumer still believes that safety plays a major role in ’sell by’ dates.

This consumer confusion may actually lull some into a false sense of security.  For instance, because grocery fridges are kept colder than most home fridges, meat products should really be eaten within only two days of its purchase if not kept in the freezer.  In this case, the ‘use by’ or ’sell by’ dates are not specific enough.  Consumers should be educated, but by which agency?

The FDA and the USDA split their oversight responsibilities: the FDA looks after packaged goods and drugs, while the USDA takes care of fresh produce and meat.  Why can’t there be just one agency to look after the stuff we ingest?  It would make consumer life so much easier, and probably safer, too.

Sources: BusinessWeek, ConsumerAffairs,ConsumerSavvyTips, WebMD

December 30, 2008  Tags: , ,   Posted in: Health, Politics

2 Responses

  1. Bridgette - January 6, 2009

    This article only talks of formula and poultry, but what about dairy? Such as milk.

  2. foodbubbles - January 6, 2009

    Well, the BusinessWeek article says that milk quality deteriorates very quickly,with it tasting okay for only about 4 or 5 days after its sell-by date. The article goes on to say:
    “…If milk isn’t refrigerated promptly, it will develop a sour taste and spoil, even though it might not necessarily be dangerous. Interestingly, milk can lose vitamins when exposed to light, which is why it usually comes in opaque plastic or paperboard.”

    About safety, though, the article reports:
    “If a product already has harmful bacteria like salmonella or listeria in it, the bacteria will multiply and develop colonies within days, even in the refrigerator. Then it is dangerous to consume. “In cases where the bacteria is already there, the use-by dates become irrelevant because they can harm you much before then,” says Bill Marler of Seattle law firm Marler Clark, food safety advocates that represent victims of food poisoning.”

    About drinking raw milk, the USDA claims that, “there is no significant difference in the nutritional value of pasteurized and unpasteurized milk, though pasteurized milk is a lot safer.”

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