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Episode Transcription
For Food Safety in a Minute, this is Susie Craig.
Are you confused about “Use By” and “Best if Used By” dates on food labels? Knowing the difference is important for food safety. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, food labeled with a “Use By” date indicates the food is perishable. If it’s past the “Use By” date, the product should always be discarded.
Shelf stable products such as commercially canned foods are labeled with “Best if Used By” dates. Stored appropriately, commercially canned foods are safe to eat after this date. However, they may not retain initial quality with changes in color and texture of the product. For safety and high quality, it’s a good idea to label commercially canned foods with purchase dates and rotate them in your pantry.
This is Susie Craig from Washington State University Extension and Food Safety in a Minute.