Ever wonder why different food has different indicator dates on the package and what they mean?
It can be really confusing to look at an indicator date on a package and see a variety of different terms. If there is a misunderstanding of what the date means, the safety of the food product and those consuming it could be compromised. Michigan State University Extension recommends keeping your refrigerator at the proper temperature, less than 40 degrees Fahrenheit. It is important that continuous refrigerated or frozen storage be used with meat products that are not shelf stable.
Sell by – This creates an easy date for the retailer to know when the product has to be removed from their shelf and disposed of instead of being sold. In general, consumers have one to three days to use that meat product if it is fresh before there would be concern from a safety standpoint. Typically retailers will mark down the price of a product if the sell by date is near. That can create an opportunity for consumers to purchase something that is still acceptable from a safety and quality standpoint at a bargain as long as the consumer goes home and uses the product right away.
Use by/Freeze by – This type of dating system is clearest for the consumer. If it is a fresh product, it needs to be consumed on or before the use by date on the package or frozen if additional storage time is desired. Frozen storage times for meat can vary from one to 12 months depending on the species (chicken, turkey, pork, lamb, beef) from a quality aspect. If the product is frozen and kept frozen, safety does not become an issue.
Packaged on – This type of date is often used on fresh meat but also leaves the most room for confusion or error on behalf of the consumer. Most fresh meat can be stored at refrigerated temperatures for up to three days after packaging in typical meat tray overwrap style or butcher paper wrap packaging. Longer storage time of up to seven days from retail purchase can be used if the product is vacuum packaged with a good seal and the air is removed from the package.
Expiration date – For consumers, expiration dates are very user friendly. Simply, the product needs to be used on or before the expiration date from a safety standpoint. These types of dates are not as common on meat packages but are found with some processed meat products.
Another question that is common relates to processed meat products. Once a processed meat product (ham, hot dog, lunchmeat, etc.) package is opened, the product should be good for up to seven days unless another type of date is on the package and has passed. After the seven days, the product should not be consumed. That means if a package of hot dogs is opened up and a few are prepared and eaten, within seven days the rest of the hot dogs need to be eaten or the remaining ones can be frozen. If you go to the deli and received sliced lunchmeat, eat that within seven days.
Stay on top of dates and acceptable storage times to reduce food waste. But when in doubt, throw it out.
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FAQs
Poultry and Meat Meat and poultry typically have a Sell-By date. You should use or freeze your chicken within one to two days of purchasing and meat within three to five days of purchasing. Freezing your poultry and meat can make these proteins last anywhere from nine to 12 months.
What does sell by date mean on packaged meat? ›
A "Sell-By" date tells the store how long to display the product for sale for inventory management. It is not a safety date. A “Use-By" date is the last date recommended for the use of the product while at peak quality. It is not a safety date except for when used on infant formula as described below.
How long is vacuum packed meat good past the sell-by date? ›
Increased shelf life
| Conventional storage | Vacuum packed |
|---|
| FROZEN | 6 - 12 months | 2 - 3 years |
| REFRIGERATED | 1 - 2 days | 2 weeks |
Fresh meat in foam trays and shrink-wrap, and opened packages of luncheon meats may be refrigerated at 40 °F or below for three to five days; ground meats, poultry and variety meats, one to two days. Unopened packages of hot dogs and lunch meats can be stored two weeks.
How long is deli meat good after the sell-by date? ›
Instead, they're a suggestion for when the product will be at its peak quality," Hutchings said. "If a food item is stored properly, it can often still be used or eaten after its expiration date." She recommends eating deli meat within three to five days from opening the package, and unopened packages within two weeks.
Is it safe to eat meat after the best before date? ›
Within reason, provided the food looks and smells as you would expect, it should be safe to eat, even if the 'best-before' date has passed. Keep an eye on the 'use-by' or 'best-before' dates on the food in your cupboards. Don't eat any food that is past its 'use-by' date, even if it looks and smells okay.
How long is vacuum sealed meat good for in the freezer? ›
Frozen Meats – Frozen raw meats that are properly vacuum sealed can be stored in the freezer from 1-3 years depending on the type of meat. However, raw meat that is not vacuum sealed will only last 1-12 months depending on the meat.
How long is hamburger good after the sell-by date? ›
Beef safety
Keep wrapped meat on a plate or pan to catch drips that might contaminate other foods. Generally, you can expect to be able to use ground beef one to three days after the sell-by date depending on how it has been handled. Steaks will likely be good for another day or two.
How long after use or freeze by date is chicken good? ›
You can keep raw chicken in the fridge for one to two days at most. 1 The “best if used by” date printed on the package is for quality assurance purposes, so you should only eat raw chicken within a day or two, even if its printed expiration date hasn't passed yet.
Can you eat eggs 2 months out of date? ›
On those egg cartons, if an expiration date appears, it can be no more than 30 days after the pack date. "As long as they're kept properly refrigerated at 40°F or lower, fresh eggs are safe to eat four to five weeks beyond the carton's Julian date," Maloberti says.
If kept frozen continuously, it will be safe indefinitely. Chicken may be frozen in its original packaging or repackaged. If freezing longer than two months, over wrap the porous store plastic packages with airtight heavy-duty foil, plastic wrap or freezer paper, or place the package inside a freezer bag.
How to tell if vacuum sealed meat is bad? ›
Some indicators of spoilage include surface discolouration or 'greening' of the meat and/or the drip, evidence of gas production in the pack, and off odours that may be noticeable when packs are opened.
How long after use or freeze by date is ground beef good? ›
As long as a person correctly and safely stores their meat, they do not necessarily need to discard any products past their “best before” date. It is safe for people to consume refrigerated ground beef up to 2 days past this date. If freezing, it is advisable to eat ground beef within 4 months .
Can you eat cured meat after use-by date? ›
follow any storage instructions on the label and do not eat meat after its "use by" date.
What foods can you not eat after the expiration date? ›
Keeping all that intel in mind, ahead are 13 foods that do not fare well after their expiration dates, according to experts.
- Infant Formula. ...
- Meats. ...
- Eggs. ...
- Soft Cheeses. ...
- Deli Meat. ...
- Fiddleheads. ...
- Strawberries. ...
- Ground Spices.
You can keep raw chicken in the fridge for one to two days at most. 1 The “best if used by” date printed on the package is for quality assurance purposes, so you should only eat raw chicken within a day or two, even if its printed expiration date hasn't passed yet.
