When Should You Throw Out Your Old Gum?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\nSo can you eat it? Read our many guides below to find out about your specific type of food, its shelf life, and will it go bad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shelf Life of Foods<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The shelf life of foods varies depending on what kind of food it is. For example, fresh fruits and vegetables last much less than processed foods like cookies. If you want to know how long a food should stay in the refrigerator, start by looking at the label. It will tell you how many days you can keep the food before it goes bad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However see our guides per food type below for you type of food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Calculation of shelflife<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The best way to calculate the shelf life of foods is by using the \u201cbest before date\u201d printed on the packaging. This is usually based on the manufacturer\u2019s recommendations. If this date is reached, then the product should be thrown away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Food Expiration Dates What to Know<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The best way to know what foods should be thrown away is to check the expiration date. If you see \u201cBest before\u201d or \u201cUse by\u201d dates, then you can assume that the product is safe to eat. But if you see \u201csell by\u201d dates, this means that the product is past its prime and possibly may not be spoiled it may not just taste as good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Understanding Food Expiration Dates<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The USDA recommends that all foods when stored at room temperature be kept away from direct sunlight. Refrigeration helps extend shelf life by slowing down the growth of microorganisms. But refrigerated items lose some flavor and texture over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SellBy Date<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Sell By date is a way of telling you when a product should be used by. It tells you whether a product is best before its expiration date, or after. If you see a \u201csell by\u201d date on a loaf of bread, you know you should probably use it within two weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Best if Used by Date<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The best way to know whether a product is safe to consume is to check the date on the label. If the expiration date is past, then the product should probably be discarded. This doesn\u2019t mean that all foods expire at the same rate, however. Some foods (like milk) spoil quickly, while others (such as eggs) last longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
UseBy Date<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The best way to know whether or not a food item is safe to eat is to look at the \u201cuse by date\u201d label. This tells you how long the product should be kept before being consumed. For example, foods labeled \u201cbest if used by\u201d or \u201csell by\u201d date are often safe to consume after this point. If a food item doesn\u2019t have a use-by date, check the expiration date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Expiration Date<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If you see a date on a product, it means that the manufacturer has tested the product and found it to be safe to consume. The expiration date tells you how long the product should be kept before consuming it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to tell if your food has gone bad<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The best way to know if your food has gone off is by smelling it. If it smells like rotten eggs, then it probably isn\u2019t safe to eat. But if it doesn\u2019t smell, then it could be fine. It all depends on what kind of food it is. For example, meat should always smell fresh, whereas dairy products should never smell at all.<\/p>\n\n\n