Expiration Dates

So, this is kind of random, but I was thinking about expiration dates the other day. Actually, I was looking at them on some of the things in my fridge and realizing that I am not the best at following them. For example, my salad dressings. All but 1 were past the date- by like 6 months! Oops. Guess we don't eat enough salad. I have also noticed other things that I have that are expired and have found myself wondering how. I haven't even had it that long I'll say. Was it expired when I bought it? Isn't the store suppose to check that? Can they stock items that are expired? And then there are medications. I hate to admit this since as a nurse, were are taught to check the expiration dates, and I would never administer a medication if it was expired, but I've been know to take expired meds at home. Allergy meds are the common ones. They just don't seem to last long. That or it could be like the salad dressing- we just don't use them that often.


I have done some investigating. By that I mean, I did a google search. And I found an article (on WebMD) by Star Lawrence. It is titled Do Food Expiration Dates Really Matter?

Here is some of what I found interesting in it.

I knew the sell by date was different from the expiration date and that things are still safe/ok to eat after this date. It is really a guide for the store. However, I don't think I really understood the best if used by date. This really is about quality (like the guarenteed fresh date) and not safety. You are just fine consuming the product after this date, it just might not taste as good.

Here are some guidelines for storing/keeping food (along with my comments)

Milk- Usually fine until a week after the "Sell By" date. Ours is always gone by then anyway. We go through so much milk, its crazy!
Eggs- OK for 3-5 weeks after you bring them home (assuming you bought them before the "sell by" date).
Poultry and seafood- Cook or freeze this within a day or two. That isn't very long.
Beef and pork- Cook or freeze within three to five days. It does say that right on front.
Medication- well, the article does say that chemicals break down and change over time which could make them more potent or ineffective. I did know this. But it also says that some drugs may be ok after the date noted.
Store medication out of the bathroom. If you have the cabinet behind the mirror, don't use that. Bathrooms are hot, and humid and that environment is not good. I've also heard storing your razor out of the shower is better too.
One more thing that the article did not address but I used to wonder about was how long to store cheese or lunch meat after it was open. Well, guess what? It says on the package best if used within 7 days of opening.

Here is the full article

Hope this helped? Did you already know everything I said? What questions or tips do you have?