Do food ‘sell-by’ dates really matter?

It happens to the best of us, you reach into your refrigerator and pull something out, only to realize that it’s reached its sell-by date.

An advocacy group is now saying those dates are too confusing. Many consumers are tossing out perfectly good food as well as their money.

From milk to meats, salad to cereal; if it’s in the grocery store, it’s got a date on it.

Some say “use-by,” others are marked “sell-by,” and some just have a date. But what do they mean?

Peter Lehner from the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) says these dates are not expiration dates.

“You don’t need to throw it out if it’s past the date on the label,” said Lehner.

The NRDC estimates 9 out of 10 Americans are confused by the dates. A family of four throws about $2,000 worth of still edible food away every year.

“The dates are up to the manufacturers, there’s no federal standards for anything in this store, except for infant formula,” said Lehner.

Lehner says many foods, if stored properly, can last long after the labels say. Milk can last at least a week past the printed date. Eggs can still be good three to five weeks after you buy them. Many canned products last for up to five years!

The Grocery Manufacturers Association says the dates indicate freshness, but admits changes are needed.

“We are working to improve current code dating practices, with the goal of creating a uniform global standard that will make it easier to interpret date labels.”

Lehner says until then, consumers should use common sense.

“You can open it and smell it, you can take a look at it, and for most things, you’ll be able to tell whether or not it’s still good.”