\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Learn what the dates mean and how you know if food is good or not. For those that don't, you can often find a coded date stamped on the top or bottom of the can. If a food item smells bad or if you can see mold or discoloration, throw it out. Milk, for example, has a sell-by date, and as long you put your carton in the refrigerator as soon as you get home from the store, your milk should be safe to drink seven days past the sell-by date. REGISTERED - SEC. Most over-the-counter medications are effective for as long as 10 years past the expiration date. These may be written as the month, date, and year (011019 would read as January 10, 2019), or they might be noted with the year in front of the month and date (190110 would mean January 10, 2019). You can even print out the version below and put it up on the fridge for future reference. Store perishable foods in the refrigerator whenever possible. A teacher walks into the Classroom and says If only Yesterday was Tomorrow Today would have been a Saturday Which Day did the Teacher make this Statement? If you have specific questions about a company's product, contact a customer service representative at the phone number listed. The expiration date is the last day that the food should be eaten for optimal flavor and quality. Sometimes, several writers and editors have contributed to an article over the years. An open dating expiration code reads exactly as it's written. Did You Know? Some companies list the month after the date, so look elsewhere in the code for letters as well. Maxwell House 40 All You Magazine May 2011 Coupons Saving Cents With Sense APRIL 15, 2011 Expiration Date. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. According to the USDA, high-acid canned goods, like tomatoes and citrus fruits, will keep for up to 1.5 years. Some manufacturers list day, month, and year of production, while other companies reference only the year. Fresh meats, such as chicken or ground beef, also have sell-by dates but have a shorter shelf life than milk and should be cooked or placed in your freezer within three to five days of purchase. 2023 Canned Food Alliance | All Rights Reserved | Designed by. Can Sizes comprehensive information available long a food will be fresh and at quality... The expiration date, a lotion might become tacky the box is copyright... Life at moderate temperatures ( 75 F and below ) U.S. do n't Cook item! Exception: Federal law requires a date on all infant formulas for safety and Inspection,... 1 through 9 often represent the months January through September, in order eat food... House 40 all you Magazine may 2011 Coupons Saving Cents with Sense April 15 2018! On their FoodSafety Educationwebsite of good food of date: 3-4 years total cost of the.! 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