Do you throw away more food than you need to? When was the last time you used something past its best before date but it was ok? Here are some tips to help you.
How Much Can You Save?
£50 or more per month
Making It Work:
It’s important to pay attention to expiration dates, but there’s no use in throwing away good food that can still be used.
Meat and dairy
Pay attention to expiry dates on dairy and meat. These two categories can spoil quickly. If you see any sign of mould or a bad odour, it’s time to toss the item. You certainly don’t want to risk your family’s health by using spoiled food.
However, milk can often last a week after its sell-by date. Eggs can sometimes last 2 to 4 weeks after their sell-by date.
Sell-by dates
Understand “sell-by” dates. You’ll sometimes see a “sell-by” date on a package. This isn’t the same as an expiry date, and you can keep using the item. It may not be extremely fresh, but it’ll still be edible.
Best before dates
Understand “best before” dates. Again, these aren’t the same as expiry dates. They mean that the item will lose freshness, but you can usually still eat it.
Canned foods
Know the rules for canned goods. In general, most canned goods can last at least 18 months, and some can last up to 5 years.
Foods without expiry dates
Stock up on foods with no expiration dates. Unless you store these foods improperly, they can last for many years.
Common items like honey and rice fall into this category.
Salt, sugar, cornstarch, dried beans, and powdered milk can last for years.
The expiry dates on your food matter, but there are some you can ignore. Use these tips to save money and avoid wasting your food.
