- A new survey indicates many consumers don’t understand food expiration date labels.
- Experts say it’s important to be aware of this information to avoid food poisoning and other illnesses.
- One way to keep food fresh is to grocery shop more than once a week.
- Another way is to use the “first in, first out” system when preparing meals.
You know the difference between “Best If Used By” and “Use By” dates, right?
Well, you might want to check again.
A new survey found that even though most people said they use food expiration labels and know what they mean, less than half (46 percent) knew that the “Best If Used By” label specifically indicates that food quality may deteriorate (or spoil) after the date on the label.
Less than one-quarter (24 percent) of study respondents knew that the “Use By” label means that food is not safe to eat after the date on the label.
Teaching the respondents the differences didn’t change their view much either.
After viewing educational messages, 37 percent of survey respondents still did not understand the specific meaning of the “Best If Used By” label, and 48 percent did not understand the specific meaning of the “Use By” label.
“Unwarranted confidence and the familiarity of date labels may make consumers less attentive to educational messaging that explains the food industry’s labeling system,” said Catherine Turvey, MPH, a study author from the department of exercise and nutrition sciences at the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
Source: healthline