Don’t systematically throw away food products that have passed the date on their packaging! Some are still perfectly edible several weeks or even several months after this deadline.
You’ve probably already hesitated in front of a yogurt or a can of food whose expiration date had passed. What if you didn’t have to systematically throw them away? Let’s dive together into the world of expiration dates to discover a surprising reality that could well change your eating habits.
First of all, it is essential to distinguish between two types of expiration dates. The Use By Date (UBD) is the strictest. You will find it on fresh, highly perishable foods, such as meat, fish or dairy products. Once this date has passed, it is strongly recommended to no longer consume these foods, as they can become dangerous for your health.
But there is another date that is often overlooked: the Minimum Durability Date (MDD), previously known as “Best Before”. Unlike the DLC, the MDD simply indicates that the product may lose its taste or texture after this date, but that it remains edible and safe for health. As a result, many foods can be consumed without any risk after their MDD.
Among the most common products, pasta and rice can be cooked and eaten without any problem up to a year after their BBD has passed, provided they are kept in a dry place, away from light and heat. The same goes for canned vegetables and fruit, which remain edible for years after their expiration date, provided that the can is neither deformed nor damaged, and that it does not show any traces of rust.
Other common foods such as oil, honey, sugar or spices can also be consumed years after their best before date without presenting any health hazard, just a loss of taste. Even chocolate remains edible for two years after its expiration date! Although it tends to whiten over time, it does not present any health risk and simply loses a little flavor.
Even when it comes to foods with a DLC, which may present a bacteriological risk, there is also room for maneuver. Yogurts, for example, remain safe to eat for up to three months after their expiry date. You just have to check that they are not swollen and that they do not smell bad before eating them.
As for sterilized creams and dairy products, known as UHT, they also remain edible for up to two months after the date mentioned on the packaging, provided that they are not opened. Otherwise, it is then necessary to place them quickly in the fridge and consume them within a few days.
Generally speaking, apart from high-risk health products such as meat, fish and some cold cuts, most foods can therefore be consumed after their “use by” date. To know if a product is still edible, the most important thing is to inspect it: if it has a normal appearance, a good smell and a usual taste, it is probably still good to eat. The nose and palate are often good indicators of food quality.