TIP OF THE WEEK:EXPIRATION DATE LINGO!!

So you’re shopping at your local grocer one day and you happen upon a display of salad dressing marked down to $0.50. You do what any savvy saver would do and check for an expiration date. The date you find is proceeded by the words “best by”.

Then you happen upon a display of mayo marked down to just $0.99. Again, you check for a date and find it proceeded by “expires on”. What’s the difference?

I’ve often found myself confused by the wording and dates on grocery items. I mean, what really expires on the date indicated and what can safely be consumed after the date? So I did a little research and here’s what I found:

Expiration  -  refers to the last date a food should be eaten or used. Last means last…proceed at your own risk.

Sell by  -  The labeling “sell by” tells the store how long to display the product for sale. The “sell by” date is the last day the item is at its highest level of quality, but it will still be edible for some time after.

Best if used by  -  This refers strictly to quality, not safety. This date is recommended for best flavor or quality. It is not a purchase or safety date.

Guaranteed fresh -  This usually refers to bakery items. They will still be edible after the date, but will not be at peak freshness.

Use by date -  This is the last date recommended for the use of the product while at peak quality. The date has been determined by the manufacturer of the product.

So in a nutshell, the only dates you should really be concerned about are the expiration dates. All others are subjective to individual taste and discernment. And of course common sense is always your best friend.

Thank you to Simple Saving Savvy!

Marnie Ann