Is it good or not?

Deciphering date stamps on food and drug products

January 08, 2007|by JULIE E. GREENE

(Page 2 of 2)

A leaking or swollen can might be indicative of bacteria being present, he says.

Seavolt says the federal government generally doesn't require product dating for food items, except for infant formula and some baby foods.

To keep or to toss

Ryan Seavolt, Food Program supervisor in Washington County Health Department's Environmental Health Division, offers some tips on whether to toss or keep certain food items:

· Infant formula: Stores are usually good about pulling any infant formula past its use-by date, and people at home should throw away any formula past that date. The use-by date relates to the formula's quality, consistency and nutrient content that can go downhill and clog a bottle nipple.

· Milk: Maryland regulations allow milk to remain on store shelves four days past the sell-by date. It's usually good for a week past the sell-by date.

· Eggs: cannot be sold as fresh eggs past the expiration date. Eggs usually are safe to eat or use for three to five weeks past the expiration date, though this can be subjective. Check for color, odor and texture. There are usually two dates on a carton of eggs. One is the expiration date and the other is a packaging date, so make sure you're looking at the right one.

· High-acid canned foods: Cans containing high-acid foods such as tomatoes, grapefruit or pineapple are shelf stable for 12 to 18 months. Mark your purchase date on the can to keep track of its age. Turnover for canned goods is usually high at grocery store shelves, but throw it out when in doubt.

· Low-acid canned foods: Cans containing low-acid foods such as tuna fish, poultry and vegetables are usually good for two to five years if stored properly in a clean, dry place. Mark your purchase date on the can to keep track of its age.

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