As the cost of groceries keeps going up, people are looking for smart ways to save money. Understanding the often-misunderstood food labels is a good way to save money.
A lot of people are confused about food labels. Fewer than half of the people who answered a poll in 2007 knew what the “sell by” date meant, and many thought it meant the last safe date to eat the food.
The lack of federal rules and standard definitions for food labels is what Dana Gunders, executive head of ReFED, says is causing the confusion. Laws change from state to state, which makes the problem worse.
What do these names really mean? “Best if Used By/Before” lists the best quality and taste, not the safety of the food. “Use By” is the same thing, except for baby formula, which should not be used after this date. “Sell By” is used to keep track of inventory and doesn’t affect the safety of the customer.
Look for signs of spoilage, like strange smells, changes in color, or changes in texture, to decide when to throw away food. When it comes to baby formula, the use-by date must be strictly followed.
On the other hand, if you store canned goods the right way, they can last for years. Food that has been frozen can also last a lot longer, making it safe “almost indefinitely.”
Being careful with food labels can help you avoid getting bacterial infections, but listeria contamination is a bigger problem, according to experts. You can lower this chance by reading labels and storing food the right way.
People can make smart choices, cut down on waste, and save money by knowing when food goes bad. Now is the time to figure out how to save the most money on food.
Food waste is becoming a bigger problem and prices are going up. Reading food labels is an easy but effective way to help our wallets and the environment. We can avoid waste and enjoy our food with trust if we learn more about it.
