I've lived in households that went through a lot of milk, and am very much aware that if you don't open the jug and keep it well refrigerated it stays good considerably passed expiration date.
Big tip with milk(really anything dairy), only ever remove it from the fridge as long as you have to, do not ever sit it on the counter. I only ever take mine out with a cup prepared to fill, and it goes right back in the fridge when I'm done, it's a sort of "fridge etiquette" I taught myself that really does lead to less waste.
A few details to some of the questions:
-This was taken at a food bank
Some companies put expedition dates based off when they think their food will taste the best. The FDA does not regulate experation dates on most products. If you buy food and don't eat it right away it's better for the company if you just buy another product even though it may still be good.
This guide was made for a charity food sorting/distribution organization. Please use your best judgement and resources before consumption of questionable foods.
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There is no such thing as such a date on any US food, not really internationally either.
Best before date is an estimation when something will start to loose quality. Use by is the same thing, they are not called the same thing because the best before is for stuff regulated by the FDA and use by is for stuff regulated by USDA. Neither are safety dates (with the exception of use by dates for infant food which has its own regulations).
Anything frozen is safe forever. If its not vacsealed its going to start having quality problems within a month though.
Anything canned is safe forever as long as the can is not rusted or bulging. Canning is an awesome way to prep cook months and months of food without taking up fridge or freezer space.
Dry goods are safe forever as long as they stay dry.
Anything with live cultures is safe well beyond its best before date, sometimes forever. Anything with very high salt content is safe forever, miso never goes bad if its stored correctly but has to carry a best before date because its the law.
Milk/meat you should trust your senses. If it doesn't smell right, is slimy or is the wrong color then its bad.
Stores are absolutely allow to sell goods beyond best before date as long as they visually inspect them but because burgers are r-slurred and consider the dates safety dates they don't.
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Flour is absolutely not good forever.
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Same with dry yeast for my bread lovers out there. Yes you can go past expiration dates if stored properly but there's definitely a shelf life
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You just don't store your flour properly.
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Whole wheat flour literally goes rancid, and white flour that has any contamination (quite common) can become infested. There is no way to prevent these problems with careful storage.
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There's weevils too to watch out for.
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That's the contamination I referred to that can infest even white flour.
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Skill issue.
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you are thinking too hard. most people aren't responsible. best by dates absolutely keep a few hundred slow folk from an early death every year
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