Food Expiration Date, What you should know.

Food expiration dates are set by manufacturers as a guide to the retailers to help them determine how long to keep the product on their shelves; it also helps the consumer know when the food is no longer at its peak quality.

There are some terms that are commonly used a “Sell by date” tells the shop how long to display the product for sale, it is recommended that the consumer should buy the product before the date expires.

A “Use by date” is the last date recommended for the use of the product, determined by the manufacturer.

A “Best if use by date” is the date recommended for best flavor or quality.

If food smells or looks spoiled don’t eat it, even if it hasn’t reached its use- by date, also if food mishandled or stored inappropriately, foodborne bacteria can grow and cause foodborne illness before or after the date on the package.

 If you go shopping for perishable food like meat, chicken or fish it is advisable you go along with a cooler packed with ice to keep the food at the right temperature or alternatively immediately after purchase go home and refrigerate if promptly. Do not buy perishable foods if the color is greenish or brown, or it smells off,  a lot of times with the irregular power supply, it is possible these perrishable food could have being improperly stored.