Ever wake up in the middle of the night to make a kaya toast, only to find out that the bread has passed its expiration date yesterday? Well, here is some good news for you. If you always check on food expiration dates, you must know these 10 foods that you can turn a blind eye to on their expiration dates, if stored properly. 

Did You Know?

It is a common misperception that the expiration dates listed on food packaging serve as a strict deadline by which you must discard it. Here are 10 foods that are safe to consume, even if they have exceeded the deadline.

1. Cereal

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Your cereal will normally remain fresh for four to six months after opening. It may become stale after a while, but it does not really affect the quality or safety of said food.

2. Canned Foods

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Vegetables in cans and several types of canned soups can be used up to two years after their “expiration,”. Keep in mind that this rule does not apply to foods that contain significant amounts of acid, such as tomatoes and pineapple.

3. Bread

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You can eat bread as long as you do not see mould on it. Usually, that will happen after 3 to 4 days if kept in a dry place. However, packaged bread will remain fresh in the freezer for at least three months if you wish to extend its shelf life.

4. Peanut Butter

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This is where preservatives come in handy. An unopened jar of peanut butter (with preservatives) will remain fresh for a year after its printed date, refrigerated or not. If kept in the fridge, natural peanut butter can be kept for three to six months after its expiration date.

5. Dried Pasta

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Pasta should be used within four to five days after the expiration date that is listed on the container. It normally lasts six to eight months when frozen. If it is kept dry, like in a cupboard, dry spaghetti can be eaten 12 months after the expiration date.

6. Honey

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Honey has an almost endless shelf life when stored properly (in a sealed container away from humidity). Due to its composition, which includes less than 20% water and an acidic pH level that prevents germs from growing.

7. Rice

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You can keep white rice for up to 25 to 30 years in cool storage, and if it is packed with oxygen absorbers, it can even be kept at room temperature for up to 10 years. White rice should be used within two years of opening, but brown rice only lasts around six months due to the presence of naturally occurring oils that can degrade in the outer hull.

8. Milk

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The amount of fat in milk affects how long it will keep. Whole milk can be stored for five to seven days after the date printed on the carton, whereas non-fat milk can be kept for between seven and ten days. If milk does go bad, it will have a lumpy texture, a discolored appearance, and a terrible smell. Another way to put it is if it has gone bad, you will just know.

9. Condiments

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You can keep several condiments, including mustard and ketchup, unopened ones, for an additional year or two after their labeled expiration dates.

10. Baking Ingredients

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Dry ingredients for baking used after the dates indicated on the packaging, like sugar and flour, pose no safety risks. A quick visual inspection would do it. However, leavening chemicals like baking soda or powder lose their potency after their expiration dates.

Expiration dates do not indicate food safety; rather, they indicate the last day a producer will guarantee a product’s quality. Now that you have learned something new, you can stop throwing food out to reduce waste and spend less money. When assessing if a meal is safe to consume, always rely on your senses and best judgment; they will tell you more than the “Use-By” date on the packaging.

Understand Best Before & Expiry Dates if you would like to learn more about food labels!