Understanding Food Labels

Understanding Food Labels

Understanding dates on food packages can be a challenge. Many food packages are marked with dates that indicate freshness. Some examples include:

 

Quality or pack dates often designated on packages by the words ‘Better if used by…” and a date. Look for these dates on packaged mixes, cold cereals, peanut butter, and increasingly, on canned items like fruits and vegetables. These dates mean that after the quality date, the food will begin to lose its flavor and may even develop an off flavor. Quality dates are an estimate of how long foods will remain at their peak quality.

Expiration dates such as “Expires 2/15/12” or “Do not use after 7/9/11.” Look for these dates on vitamins, yeast, baking powder and cake mixes.

Pull dates an example includes “Sell by May 16.” Look for these dates on perishable, refrigerated foods such as milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, cream, eggs, lunch meat, and packaged salad mixes.