This article was originally published on Feb. 7, 2020.
“Sell by,” “use by,” “enjoy by.” These familiar date labels are found all over our refrigerators and pantries — but what do they really mean?
These labels have left many of us confused and anxious — and may be causing some to throw away 25 percent of the food they buy. Experts say much of the food waste in the U.S. is linked to an unclear food dating system that has little to do with safety. One Harvard University study from 2013 found more than 90 percent of Americans have thrown food away because they misinterpret food label dates as an indicator of food safety.
Another, more recent study that peered into the kitchens of more than 300 U.S. homes uncovered additional findings that illustrate how pervasive the problem is. People in the study ended up throwing away nearly half the dairy, meat and produce in their refrigerators — largely because of date labels and other concerns around food safety. Young adults in particular are the worst food waste offenders, it found.
While no one wants food poisoning, when food goes in the garbage, it wastes money and strains the food supply. Let’s explore what these date labels really mean, and if there’s a better way to determine if the food in your pantry or fridge is still safe to eat.
