Back to Basics: Understanding Food Expiration Dates and Proper Storage
When it comes to your kitchen and pantry, there is nothing more important than keeping track of your food expiration dates. If you’ve ever reached into your cupboard to find items that have passed their best-by dates or use-by dates, you know how annoying it can be but also confusing. Is there a difference between best-by dates, use-by dates, and sell-by dates?
Fortunately, in this article, we’ll explore these terms more in-depth, so you know how to ensure long-lasting food storage and extend your food shelf life. First, let’s discuss the different types of expiration dates. Once you read this article, you’ll easily continue reducing food waste and preventing food spoilage!
What Do the Different Types of Expiration Dates Mean?
Every product has a different expiration date, sometimes listed as the best-by date, sell-by date, or even the use-by date. But what does this mean, and are they the same? Well, you might be surprised to find out that these expiration dates differ in meaning. Here’s a look at each type of expiration date and what it means:
Best-By Dates: When you see this expiration date on the package, the product is of the best quality and taste by the date listed. It does not indicate any safety issues if you eat the product after this date.
💡 A 'best by' date tells you how long the product will be at its best flavor and quality
Sell-By Dates: These are not safety dates but help retailers and brands keep their products on the shelf for the appropriate time. If you have an unused product after its sell-by date, you can still consume it if it shows no signs of spoilage.
Use-By Dates: Finally, the last type of expiration date you might see is a use-by date, which indicates by when the product should be eaten. If you find it is a day or two afterward, you should ensure the food is still high-quality before consuming it.
As you can see, it is a myth that you cannot use a product after some of these expiration dates. Now that we have debunked this misconception let’s discuss how proper food storage can help you save money on cooking and baking necessities.
The Importance of Proper Food Storage
Proper food storage prevents you from finding products in your pantry or kitchen that are well past their food expiration dates. Instead, if you can use proper food storage containers, you can ensure that they last the length of their shelf life—sometimes even longer with the right storage—so you can use them in all your favorite recipes.
However, food shelf life depends on the product and where it is stored. Let’s discuss how to store pantry staples, refrigerated items, and frozen foods while following safe food storage practices.
💡 A handy tip to elevate your food storage game, often seen in fine dining kitchens and featured in the popular TV show The Bear, is to use masking tape in your kitchen. Label your containers with the name of the food and, if possible, the date when it was stored. This simple step helps you keep track of your food items, ensuring nothing goes to waste and making it easy to find what you need when you need it.
Related blog post: The Best Food Storage Ideas to Keep Your Kitchen Organized
Best Practices for Storing Pantry Staples
Any pantry staple you have at home should be kept in a cool, dark, and dry environment. The best temperature to keep your pantry items in is between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, if you can, use airtight food storage to keep out moisture, pests, and contamination.
You can even create separate sections for different items, like a shelf dedicated to pasta and rice or another shelf dedicated to baking supplies. When it comes to food expiration dates, remember to rotate your items so you’re always using the items closest to expiring first.
Best Practices for Refrigerated Items
Your refrigerator should stay at a constant temperature, usually around 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4-5 degrees Celsius).
Additionally, while storing items in the fridge, you should keep ready-eat items on the top shelf, dairy products in the middle, raw meat and fish on the bottom shelves, and fruits and vegetables in their own drawers to stay fresh for longer. You can put condiments, juices, and items with a longer shelf life on the door.
Best Practices for Frozen Foods
As the coldest appliance in your home, this should be set to zero (0) degrees Fahrenheit to keep your frozen items safe for consumption. Items should all be wrapped tightly, whether in plastic wrap, aluminum foil, or even freezer paper. Be careful not to overstuff your freezer, or you will not have as much air circulation!
If you have any duplicate items, practice “first in, first out” so you use the oldest items first while reducing food waste.
How Airtight Containers Can Ensure Long-Lasting Food Storage
Airtight containers can be a game changer, whether you want to learn how to store food properly or you are curious about how you can continue reducing food waste. With the right airtight container, you’ll be preventing food spoilage and even extending food shelf life. Because these containers will lock out all the moisture, light, heat, and potential contaminants, you can enjoy fresh food for longer.
With a Tightvac food container, you can even select different sizes for different purposes. For example, you can use a Coffeevac to store your favorite coffee beans in your pantry organization, or you can even use the Breadvac to store your favorite loaves of bread over the long term. The possibilities are endless! Using food storage containers like the Tightvac will revolutionize your kitchen storage and allow you to enjoy a longer food shelf life.
Final Freshness Tips for Reducing Food Waste and Extending Food Shelf Life
While keeping track of all of your food expiration dates can be daunting, we can provide some freshness tips to help you improve your food preservation methods. Use airtight containers to lock out the elements and protect your favorite snacks, flours, and more. Use labels to keep track of expiration dates, marking when something was bought, its expiration date, and anything else you need to know.
With your frozen and refrigerated items, always plan ahead, store your items properly, and adhere to our expiration date guide. For the best use of your pantry and kitchen, you can even meal prep and have leftovers for multiple days in advance. As long as you know how to store food properly and follow food safety tips, you can enjoy long-lasting food storage and delicious meals made with your favorite items!
Get Your Tightvac Today and Upgrade Your Food Storage Containers
Now that you know more about food expiration dates, you can take steps to ensure you’re preventing food spoilage and extending food shelf life. If you’re looking for airtight food storage for your home, why not try Tightvac? Browse our assortment today for the perfect container for your must-have kitchen and pantry essentials.
🡆 Shop Tightvac Containers
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- Brie Allen
