The food bank gave me a hand-out about how long you can safely eat unopened foods past their expiration dates, and I thought other people might find it helpful.
DAIRY:
Milk, cream: within 10 days past expiration date
Soft cheese, yogurt, sour cream, cottage cheese: consume within 14 days past expiration date
Butter, hard cheese: consume within 3 months past expiration date (personal note: if cheese gets mold you can cut off the moldy parts the rest is still fine)
Frozen butter: consume within 12 months past expiration date
Eggs (in shells): consume within 1 month past expiration date
Egg substitutes: consume within 10 days of expiration date.
MEAT:
Fresh: consume on or before expiration date
Frozen: defrost in fridge or microwave, and eat immediately after defrosting.
Not do eat: meat with severe freeze burn, discolored meat, and meat not frozen before expiration date
MEAT & DAIRY SUBSTITUTES:
Liquid products (rice milk, almond milk): consume withing 10 days past expiration date
Shelf stable liquid products: consume within 12 months past expiration date
Margarine: consume within 6 months past expiration date
Meat substitutes (tofu, etc): consume on or before expiration date
Frozen meat substitutes: consume within 12 months past expiration date if frozen before expiration date
DRIED & CANNED FOODS:
Dried beans, pasta: consume indefinitely
Dressings, mayo: consume within 12 months past expiration date
Cereal, crackers: consume within 12 months past expiration date
Canned foods: may be consumed indefinitely (except for pineapple and tomato)
Jarred foods, canned tomato and pineapple: consume within 18 months past expiration date
OTHER:
Fresh juice: consume within 3 months past expiration date
Fresh bread, pastries: consume on or before expiration date (personal note, I find that sandwich bread is good to eat so long as it’s not stale or growing mold)
Frozen bread: consume within 6 months past expiration date
Fresh produce: ripe, edible, and mold-free
Sliced melon: consume on or before expiration date
Deli items, packaged by store: consume within 48 hours of expiration date
Pre-packaged prepared foods packed by manufacturer, fresh: consume within 14 days past expiration date
Pre-packaged prepared foods packed by manufacturer, frozen: consume within 12 months past expiration date
DO NOT EAT:
Food that is stale, has insects, or mold
Food in open, punctured, bulging, or seriously damaged cans
Food in a jar that is leaking or has a broken seal
Food that is discolored or has an off-odor
Product has been thawed then re-frozen
Please use your best judgement and when in doubt, throw it out.
Go into 2019 with a warrior mindset. You’re going to fight to make this year the best for you because you and strong and you are in control of your life. No one can take that away your positivity and your fighting spirit.
“imagine meeting someone who wanted to learn your past not to punish you, but to learn how you needed to be loved. Be inspired by people who don’t run away when they locate the darkness in you; who instead lean in & ask where the darkness stems from & how they can love you in the midst of it.”
