Every once in a while, we go through the pantry and the fridge and get rid of things that have expired.
But, how can you tell if something can still be used even though it's past the date?
There's an easy way to know.
If the label says "Best if used by" that tells you how long the food will be in optimal condition. Now, if the date has passed, you may still be able to eat it safely... it just may not be as good as it should be.
If the label says "Use By"... without saying "best if"... just "use by"... that's for products with shorter shelf lives. Food that exceeds that date should be thrown away.
According to a new study, only 64% of adults knew what the label “Best If Used By” means and only 44.8% knew what the “Use By” label means.
Now that you know, it's probably time to take another look at that pantry and fridge.
(Photo: Getty Images)