Whenever we buy our groceries, we look at their labels to make sure that we get our money’s worth. From the ingredients to the expiration date, we make sure that we know what we are buying. If you’re used to grocery shopping, then you know that one of the most common questions that we have is whether a product is still usable even if it’s past the food date labels.
Here are foods that last past their expiration date:
Frozen Fruits and Vegetables
Frozen fruits and vegetables will always have expiration dates on their bags. But did you know that your frozen fruits and veggies can last longer than the date stamped on the bag?
Closed bags of fruit should be good for up to 10 months, while open packages will be good for only eight months. So, what fruit lasts the longest?
Apples, pears, and blueberries are among the fruits that have the longest shelf life, while carrots, broccoli, and celery can stay frozen for about a year. Tomatoes and bell peppers, however, will only be good after five months.
Remember, if your fruits or veggies look or smell weird, toss them out ASAP.
Bags of Salad and Food Date Labels
You may be wondering, “How long is salad good for after expiration date?”
Salads in bags are great for those who are always on the go, and we know when we should consume them because of their expiration dates. Aside from that, it’s obvious when your salad goes bad.
It’s dark, slimy, and maybe even moldy. Salad bags are supposed to stay fresh for about ten days when they are in your fridge unopened and about five days once opened.
If you pick one with cabbage greens, your salad can last much longer. But these rules aren’t steadfast.
We’ve all had salad bags go bad in a blink of an eye even before they reach their expiration date. To maximize the shelf life of your salad bags after you’ve opened them, place a paper towel inside the bag to soak up moisture. Change it out every few days.
Can an Unopened Bag of Chips Go Bad
An unopened bag of chips can be good for up to three months past its “sell by” date. For crackers, they should be good for nine months after that date.
You can tell if they’ve gone bad if they are moldy, discolored, or if they smell funky.
Peanut Butter
An opened jar of peanut butter will last about three months in the pantry, while an unopened one will be edible for about nine months.
If kept in the refrigerator, an opened jar should be good for about six months. Expired peanut butter probably won’t get you sick but it will probably taste gross.
Bread
Bread is good as long as it isn’t stale or moldy. So, we want to know how long is bread good after the sell by date.
You should get about a week to a couple of weeks out of it before it goes stale or moldy depending on the kind of bread. Just keep it in a pantry free from moisture. Frozen bread will last for about six months.
Canned Food
Canned foods are typically good for about two years after they were canned, according to the Canned Food Alliance. But it varies drastically depending on the food.
If you are curious what canned foods last the longest, acidic items like tomatoes can hold up for about 18 months, while beans are good for up to five years. Low acidic shelf stable foods such as luncheon meats will be good for two to five years.
It’s best to keep your canned food stored in a cool, dark place.
Pickled Vegetables
Pickled vegetables are known for their storage capabilities.
They can stay for about two years after their “best by” date. They just have to be properly sealed in the refrigerator.
Healthy food with long shelf life like Kimchi undergoes a different pickling process and is only good for six months in the fridge. Pickled items will smell foul or become fizzy when they go bad.
Eggs
Eggs have a “best by” date but they’re usually still good for about three to five weeks after you buy them.
There is a test to see if your egg has spoiled or not.
Float it in some water. If it sinks it’s fresh, if it floats that means it’s no longer good. If your egg floats to the middle, they are still OK but on its way out.
Applesauce
Applesauce is another food that has a pretty good shelf life. Did you know that it can stay fresh for about 12 to 18 months after its expiration date?
Just be sure to keep it stored in a dark cool and dry place. An opened container will last up to two months in the refrigerator.
Honey
Honey can pretty much stay good indefinitely as long as it’s properly stored. Keep your honey dry and free from moisture or water. It should last until you finish it if you keep it sealed in the pantry.
Butter and Margarine
Butter stays fresh between six to nine months in the refrigerator or about one month after its “best by” date.
Unopened margarine stays longer for up to five months after its expiration. Opened margarine lasts for two months in the fridge.
Sugar
Granulated, raw, and cubed sugar can last indefinitely if stored properly away from moisture, light, and heat. Keep it in an airtight container so it doesn’t absorb any weird smells.
Brown and powdered sugars are best consumed within two years.
Takeaway
Food date labels are guides to ensure that we get out money’s worth and that we serve and eat safe foods. Knowing which food items can still be used even if they are past the expiration date could also help us a lot.
Take these tips into consideration the next time you go grocery shopping.