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I was in the cafeteria at work the other day, and saw what could only be described as a new American tradition: a co-worker of mine threw out not one, but two snacks she got out of the vending machine. Why, you ask? Well, because they were slightly past their expiration date. What has the media done to us, people? Why have they scared us into throwing perfectly good things away? Please, for the love of God, tell me that I’m not the only one who disregards the sell-by-date rule for most items!

This has been my experience: I have found that most items are good way longer than their dates say they should be. For example: most hard or shredded cheese you buy is good for a month or more past the due date (if it hasn’t been opened, that is). Over the last few years, I can honestly say that I have only ever bought one package of cheese that I couldn’t eat, because it was a week or two beyond the date (in the defense of this situation, I must add that it looked like it was turning even before the date. Maybe I left it in the car too long while shopping — who knows?).

Basically speaking, just because food is past its expiration date doesn’t mean it’s necessarily going to be bad or unhealthy (even though it might taste “not right” after a while). It just means that the producer doesn’t want to guarantee that the food contains the nutrients in the amounts that are written on the case (proteins, glucides, sugars, etc.) Some foods do alter or become bad after a little while, sure … but most do not.

Growing up in a thrifty family (read: cheap) I have learned to generally just buy what’s available at a reasonable price for the best due date possible (it’s a family equation, but you can use it. You’re welcome) Basically, what I’m saying is buy what’s you normally get when it goes on sale, then look for the best date you can find … if it looks or smells bad, let someone else have it (trust me, someone always buys it anyway).

The following are the guidelines for some of the foods that could get you sick, if you’re not careful (it’s sort of like this article’s disclaimer):

Milk. Yes, the grocery stores get rid of it before the sell by date. No, you don’t have to do this at home: when properly refrigerated, milk stays good well beyond that date. Here goes a good test to tell if it’s bad or not: you will notice a definite taste difference in milk when it’s gone bad (it’s that easy).

Cheeses. Most hard cheeses don’t have expiration dates. I worked in a deli as a kid, so I know that unopened packages of hard cheese can last for quite some time, so that’s why you usually won’t find an expiration date on them. As for shredded cheese: is okay until it molds, but after that you have to be a bit more careful. If you see any discoloration before the expiration date, get rid of it.

Meats. It’s okay to buy any meat on the due date and then freeze it, as long as you cook it thoroughly after defrosting (just don’t let it sit around defrosting for too long). I also would not recommend buying it after the due date (but this is just a thing I do to stay healthy. Do what you want).

My friend, the media is a sick monster that is used by the gatekeepers (read: people with a lot of money) to get people to think a certain way (trust me: this is what I went to college to study. I wouldn’t kid you!). If you really think about what they are telling you to do (like throwing away perfectly good food to buy some more, for example) you’ll start seeing that they actually want you to both live in fear and waste all of your money (you think I’m kidding about this? Then think some more — I know you’re smarter than that). My advice on this topic: learn that the due by date is a very inaccurate scale! After this, go eat some old food in the fridge to test this hypothesis (see if I’m wrong then).

I regularly get produce items at half price or less. I hope I’m not the only one … although I sure do enjoy the savings, and I’m very happy to eat what others won’t go near if it saves me money in the long run!

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Source: Money Remix
Posted by: Geoff Caplan
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