| Most foods have an expiration date stamped on | | | | - Canned goods - As long as you store canned |
| their packaging. But this has nothing to do with | | | | goods in a cool spot, they could last for up to a |
| the safety of the food. The sell-by dates are just | | | | year beyond their expiration date. However, if the |
| an estimate of when a product reaches it peak | | | | can is bulging outward, it may mean bacteria has |
| taste. Research by the USDA confirms tat most | | | | entered the can, and you should dispose of the |
| food can last days or weeks past the date on | | | | can immediately. |
| the package. Here are some examples-- | | | | - Yogurt - Because yogurt is pasteurized, it can |
| - Eggs - Eggs are coated by mineral oil in the | | | | be eaten up to five days past the expiration date. |
| processing plant to block bacteria from entering | | | | In order to maintain it's edibility, store yogurt |
| the shell's tiny pores. Even though they may not | | | | upside down in your refrigerator. That forms a |
| be as delicious as farm-fresh, eggs may be used | | | | seal that keeps the bad bacteria out. |
| up to 3 weeks past the use-by date. | | | | - Fruit juice - Frozen juices or juices that do not |
| - Milk - Because of the pasteurization process, | | | | require refrigeration can last a year or more past |
| you can keep refrigerated milk for nearly a week | | | | the expiration date. Processed juices that come |
| past the expiration date. | | | | from a concentrate have had air removed and |
| - Hard Cheese - Hard or aged cheese has a low | | | | sugar and acids added which lengthen their shelf |
| water content. Bacteria need a moist environment | | | | life. |
| in which to multiply and cause spoilage. Because of | | | | Don't get too carried away when consuming food |
| the low water content, hard cheese, such as | | | | that has passed it's expiration date. If it smells |
| cheddar, can often be used up to three months | | | | funny or tastes strange, it would probably be |
| past the due date. If there is any mold on the | | | | best if you throw it out rather than risk getting |
| cheese, simply cut it off and eat the rest. | | | | sick. |