Expiration Dates

So have you ever opened your fridge and went to pour yourself a glass of milk and looked at the expiration date and it was a day over…WHAT DO YOU DO???????

Well I am CRAZY so I toss it. BUT DO YOU REALLY HAVE TO?

Expiration dates don't mean as much as many people think they do. Most food is still edible after the expiration date but may not taste very good.

Most people are surprised to find out that Stores are not legally required to remove food once the expiration date has passed. Dating is not federally required, except for infant formula and baby food. States have varying laws. Most states require that milk and other perishables be sold before the expiration date.

The major codes are:

• Sell by Don't buy the product after this date. This is the "expiration date."
• Best if used by Flavor or quality is best by this date but the product is still edible thereafter.
• Use by This is the last day that the manufacturer vouches for the product's quality.

So what does this have to do with organizing you ask???

It is important once every 3 months to go through your can foods, cake mixes, Mac and cheese boxes, and other items that have expiration dates on them. When you go through them make a note to yourself to use them within the amount of time, throw them away, or give to a local food shelter.

***NOTE: Check the expiration dates on packages like pancakes and cake mixes that have yeast which over time develop spores. Apparently, the mold that forms in old mixes can be toxic! Throw away ALL OUTDATED pancake mix, brownie mixes, Bisquick, cake & cookie mixes, etc.; you have in your home.