By a nutrition expert...
With some supermarkets scrapping use-by dates on perishable items to cut food waste, a health food retailer has shared which food items can be eaten beyond their expiration. Instead of using best-before dates which are recommendations on freshness but are also using your judgement.
Throwing away perfectly good food makes a huge impact on households. Best-before dates are largely unnecessary and lead people to think they can’t eat certain foods, even though they are usually completely fine to be eaten. Judging perishable foods based on their expiry date rather than their appearance or smell means people are wasting perfectly good food, and throwing their money in the bin. All you need to do is make sure food is stored properly to keep it fresher for longer.
Foods which can be eaten past their expiration date:
Potatoes Potatoes can actually last up to three months after their use-by date if they’re stored in a cold, dark, dry place. However, when they’re stored at room temperature, they will only last two to three weeks.
Bread If stored correctly, most bread can last up to seven days beyond its expiry date. However, be sure to check for mould before eating it.
Cereals If boxes are closed properly and kept in a dark, dry place then they it should last beyond its expiry date.
Yoghurt
If unopened, yoghurts can last up to two weeks beyond their expiry date.
Frozen fruit and veg
These can last for eight to 10 months beyond their expiry date if they’re kept frozen.
Vinegar
Vinegar doesn’t expire in the same way other foods do, however, it’s worth noting the flavour may change over time.
White rice
When kept in an airtight container in a cool, dark and dry place, white rice should last beyond its expiry date.
Flour
In the long term, flour needs to be kept in an airtight container in a cool, dark and dry place.
Dry pasta
Dry pasta can last up to 24 months after the expiry date when stored in the correct conditions.
Soy sauce
Whether soy sauce is off or not should be judged by what it looks like, not by its label. The condiment has a long shelf life but if left open for an extended time, it’s best to check for mould and bad odour.
Biscuits
If biscuits are unopened, they will last beyond their expiry date.
Peanut butter
Unopened jars are still good for up to a year past their labelled expiry date.
Dairy milk
Milk can last up to five days past its printed date but if you’re unsure, you can give it a sniff.
Pre-packaged salad
Rather than relying on the date on the packaging, pay attention to the leaves and throw away any wilted ones.
Fresh fruit
As long as there is no visible mould or apparent smell, fresh fruit is fine to eat past its expiry date.
Adapted from: Express
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