Food - use or toss?

All of us have looked at a food item wondering if it is too old to eat.  Most of the time, if we are not sure, we throw the item in the trash.  Adding to the confusion are the “best by”, “sell by” and “use by” dates on food packages in the US.  I found some information to help with those decisions, allowing us to safely reduce food waste in our homes. 

According to the US Department of Agriculture, “Food poisoning bacteria does not grow in the freezer, so no matter how long a food is frozen, it is safe to eat. Foods that have been in the freezer for months may be dry, or may not taste as good, but they will be safe to eat.”  In addition, “most shelf-stable foods are safe indefinitely. In fact, canned goods will last for years, as long as the can itself is in good condition (no rust, dents, or swelling). Packaged foods (cereal, pasta, cookies) will be safe past the ‘best by’ date, although they may eventually become stale or develop an off flavor. You’ll know when you open the package if the food has lost quality. Many dates on foods refer to quality, not safety. See FSIS’ Shelf-Stable Food Safety fact sheet for more information.”  The US Department of Agriculture is collaborating with the Food Marketing Institute and Cornell University to update the online Foodkeeper storage guide, which contains storage information on a wide variety of foods.
 
The website https://www.eatortoss.com/ provides information on many unusual food safety questions, in addition to more general guidance.  For example, the website discusses what to do if one strawberry in a container is moldy or if your celery is floppy.  The website also includes “use it up” recipes to help clean out the refrigerator or pantry.