{"id":24745,"date":"2026-05-19T09:42:07","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T15:42:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/?page_id=24745"},"modified":"2026-05-19T14:10:36","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T20:10:36","slug":"understanding-expiration-dates-food-safety","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/understanding-expiration-dates-food-safety\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding Expiration Dates and Food Safety"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"24745\" class=\"elementor elementor-24745\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c0d6093 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"c0d6093\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;position&quot;:&quot;fixed&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3979b25 elementor-nav-menu__text-align-center elementor-nav-menu--dropdown-tablet elementor-nav-menu--toggle elementor-nav-menu--burger elementor-widget elementor-widget-nav-menu\" data-id=\"3979b25\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;layout&quot;:&quot;horizontal&quot;,&quot;submenu_icon&quot;:{&quot;value&quot;:&quot;&lt;i class=\\&quot;fas fa-caret-down\\&quot; aria-hidden=\\&quot;true\\&quot;&gt;&lt;\\\/i&gt;&quot;,&quot;library&quot;:&quot;fa-solid&quot;},&quot;toggle&quot;:&quot;burger&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"nav-menu.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<nav aria-label=\"Menu\" class=\"elementor-nav-menu--main elementor-nav-menu__container elementor-nav-menu--layout-horizontal e--pointer-underline e--animation-fade\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul id=\"menu-1-3979b25\" class=\"elementor-nav-menu\"><li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-24807\"><a href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/understanding-expiration-dates-food-safety\/#overview\" class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor\">Overview<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-24808\"><a href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/understanding-expiration-dates-food-safety\/#shelf-life-guide\" class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor\">Shelf-Life Guide<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-24809\"><a href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/understanding-expiration-dates-food-safety\/#date-labels\" class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor\">Date Labels<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-24810\"><a href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/understanding-expiration-dates-food-safety\/#food-safety\" class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor\">Food Safety<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-24811\"><a href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/understanding-expiration-dates-food-safety\/#canned-foods\" class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor\">Canned Foods<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-24812\"><a href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/understanding-expiration-dates-food-safety\/#home-canning\" class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor\">Home Canning<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-24813\"><a href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/understanding-expiration-dates-food-safety\/#spoilage-signs\" class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor\">Spoilage Signs<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-24814\"><a href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/understanding-expiration-dates-food-safety\/#download-guide\" class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor\">Download Guide<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t<\/nav>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-toggle\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Menu Toggle\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"elementor-menu-toggle__icon--open eicon-menu-bar\"><\/i><i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"elementor-menu-toggle__icon--close eicon-close\"><\/i>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<nav class=\"elementor-nav-menu--dropdown elementor-nav-menu__container\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul id=\"menu-2-3979b25\" class=\"elementor-nav-menu\"><li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-24807\"><a href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/understanding-expiration-dates-food-safety\/#overview\" class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor\" tabindex=\"-1\">Overview<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-24808\"><a href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/understanding-expiration-dates-food-safety\/#shelf-life-guide\" class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor\" tabindex=\"-1\">Shelf-Life Guide<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-24809\"><a href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/understanding-expiration-dates-food-safety\/#date-labels\" class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor\" tabindex=\"-1\">Date Labels<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-24810\"><a href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/understanding-expiration-dates-food-safety\/#food-safety\" class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor\" tabindex=\"-1\">Food Safety<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-24811\"><a href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/understanding-expiration-dates-food-safety\/#canned-foods\" class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor\" tabindex=\"-1\">Canned Foods<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-24812\"><a href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/understanding-expiration-dates-food-safety\/#home-canning\" class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor\" tabindex=\"-1\">Home Canning<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-24813\"><a href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/understanding-expiration-dates-food-safety\/#spoilage-signs\" class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor\" tabindex=\"-1\">Spoilage Signs<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-24814\"><a href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/understanding-expiration-dates-food-safety\/#download-guide\" class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor\" tabindex=\"-1\">Download Guide<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t<\/nav>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5174b81 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"5174b81\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-661772a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"661772a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f3c26ab e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f3c26ab\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2ceef4b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2ceef4b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-137ff43 elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"137ff43\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icon.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-24758\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3dede6f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3dede6f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Understanding Expiration Dates and Food Safety<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3b2096d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3b2096d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Understand food labels and make safer, smarter food decisions.<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c5375b8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c5375b8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>If a food is past the expiration date, is it safe to eat?<\/strong> Here is a quick guide to help you better understand expiration dates, food quality, and food safety.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d3beae7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d3beae7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>Scroll down to read guide (\u2193)<\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c251c3d e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"c251c3d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4ba3073 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4ba3073\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5c22b17 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"5c22b17\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/landing-page-icon-7.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-24790\" alt=\"Man looking inside an open refrigerator while checking stored food items, illustrating evaluating food freshness and safe food storage at home.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/landing-page-icon-7.png 500w, https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/landing-page-icon-7-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e969f83 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"e969f83\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-46cda36 elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"46cda36\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\" id=\"overview\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d7918d9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d7918d9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Understanding Expiration Dates<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fbb2902 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fbb2902\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>There is no standardized system for food dating in the United States. Approximately 40 states require dates on some perishable foods, such as meat and dairy.<\/p><p>According to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), food products may still be safe to consume past the date printed on the label if they have been stored properly.<\/p><p>To help reduce food waste, FSIS recommends evaluating the quality of food before deciding whether to eat it or throw it away.<\/p><p>The exception is infant formula. Federal law requires a date on all infant formulas for safety purposes, and those dates should always be followed.<\/p><p>Expiration dates may also be found on products such as baby food, yeast, and baking powder.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6703d41 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6703d41\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f71f8dd e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f71f8dd\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c9841e2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"c9841e2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\" id=\"shelf-life-guide\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e9f95b0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e9f95b0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Common Food Shelf-Life Guide<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7cba01e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7cba01e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Pantry and Shelf-Stable Foods<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-78e0ca1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"78e0ca1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<style>\n  .shelf-life-table {\n    width: 100%;\n    border-collapse: collapse;\n    font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\n    color: #3A2E2A;\n    background-color: #FFFFFF;\n    border-radius: 12px;\n    overflow: hidden;\n  }\n\n  .shelf-life-table th {\n    background-color: #2A5CAA;\n    color: #FFFFFF;\n    text-align: left;\n    padding: 14px 16px;\n    font-size: 1rem;\n    font-weight: 700;\n  }\n\n  .shelf-life-table td {\n    padding: 14px 16px;\n    border-bottom: 1px solid #D6E0F0;\n    font-size: 0.95rem;\n    line-height: 1.4;\n  }\n\n  \/* Alternating Row Colors *\/\n  .shelf-life-table tbody tr:nth-child(odd) td {\n    background-color: rgba(9, 191, 222, 0.1);\n  }\n\n  .shelf-life-table tbody tr:nth-child(even) td {\n    background-color: #FFFFFF;\n  }\n\n  .shelf-life-table tr:last-child td {\n    border-bottom: none;\n  }\n\n  .shelf-life-table td:last-child {\n    font-weight: 700;\n    white-space: nowrap;\n  }\n\n  @media (max-width: 600px) {\n    .shelf-life-table th,\n    .shelf-life-table td {\n      padding: 12px;\n      font-size: 0.9rem;\n    }\n  }\n<\/style>\n\n<table class=\"shelf-life-table\">\n  <thead>\n    <tr>\n      <th>Food Item<\/th>\n      <th>Approximate Shelf Life<\/th>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/thead>\n  <tbody>\n    <tr>\n      <td>Water, including sparkling and flavored<\/td>\n      <td>2 years<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr>\n      <td>Peanut butter<\/td>\n      <td>2 years<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr>\n      <td>Dried beans, rice, and pasta<\/td>\n      <td>2 years<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr>\n      <td>Ramen, soup, and broth<\/td>\n      <td>2 years<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr>\n      <td>Baking soda<\/td>\n      <td>1 year<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr>\n      <td>Cereal and breakfast items<\/td>\n      <td>1 year<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr>\n      <td>Healthy snacks, including crackers, nuts, and granola bars<\/td>\n      <td>1 year<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr>\n      <td>Condiments<\/td>\n      <td>1 year<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr>\n      <td>Drinks, not including water<\/td>\n      <td>6 months<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr>\n      <td>Potato chips, popcorn, and other snack foods<\/td>\n      <td>6 months<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr>\n      <td>Non-perishable canned foods<\/td>\n      <td>5 years<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0653c87 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0653c87\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Refrigerated and Frozen Foods<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-badcbec elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"badcbec\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<style>\n  .cold-storage-table {\n    width: 100%;\n    border-collapse: collapse;\n    font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\n    color: #3A2E2A;\n    background-color: #FFFFFF;\n    border-radius: 12px;\n    overflow: hidden;\n  }\n\n  .cold-storage-table th {\n    background-color: #2A5CAA;\n    color: #FFFFFF;\n    text-align: left;\n    padding: 14px 16px;\n    font-size: 1rem;\n    font-weight: 700;\n  }\n\n  .cold-storage-table td {\n    padding: 14px 16px;\n    border-bottom: 1px solid #D6E0F0;\n    font-size: 0.95rem;\n    line-height: 1.4;\n  }\n\n  \/* Alternating Row Colors *\/\n  .cold-storage-table tbody tr:nth-child(odd) td {\n    background-color: rgba(9, 191, 222, 0.1);\n  }\n\n  .cold-storage-table tbody tr:nth-child(even) td {\n    background-color: #FFFFFF;\n  }\n\n  .cold-storage-table tr:last-child td {\n    border-bottom: none;\n  }\n\n  .cold-storage-table td:last-child {\n    font-weight: 700;\n    white-space: nowrap;\n  }\n\n  @media (max-width: 600px) {\n    .cold-storage-table th,\n    .cold-storage-table td {\n      padding: 12px;\n      font-size: 0.9rem;\n    }\n  }\n<\/style>\n\n<table class=\"cold-storage-table\">\n  <thead>\n    <tr>\n      <th>Food Item<\/th>\n      <th>Approximate Shelf Life<\/th>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/thead>\n  <tbody>\n    <tr>\n      <td>Refrigerated dairy, including milk<\/td>\n      <td>2 weeks<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr>\n      <td>Frozen dairy products<\/td>\n      <td>Up to 3 months<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr>\n      <td>Processed refrigerated foods<\/td>\n      <td>1 month<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr>\n      <td>Frozen products<\/td>\n      <td>1 year<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr>\n      <td>Frozen bread and baked goods<\/td>\n      <td>3 months<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5c0ccaa e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"5c0ccaa\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ee65c1d e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ee65c1d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6616925 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"6616925\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/landing-page-icon-5.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-24791\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/landing-page-icon-5.png 500w, https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/landing-page-icon-5-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d9d86f5 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d9d86f5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fa3d78e elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"fa3d78e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\" id=\"date-labels\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-303d976 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"303d976\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Types of Dates<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5a6333d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5a6333d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Understanding food date labels, such as \u201c<strong>Best If Used By<\/strong>,\u201d \u201c<strong>Use By,<\/strong>\u201d \u201c<strong>Sell By<\/strong>,\u201d and \u201c<strong>Freeze By,<\/strong>\u201d can help reduce unnecessary food waste and make grocery shopping less confusing. Most printed dates are intended to reflect food quality and freshness, not food safety. Learning what these labels mean can help consumers make informed decisions about storing, freezing, and using food at home.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e885d4f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e885d4f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Best If Used By\/Before<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4bc61b7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4bc61b7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>This is a quality assurance date and serves as a suggestion for when the taste and quality of food are expected to be at their peak.\u200b<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-95f5c80 elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"95f5c80\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"far fa-times-circle\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">It is not a purchase or safety date.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5ae9556 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5ae9556\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Use By<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-200861e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"200861e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>This is the suggested date by which food should be used for best quality.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b9c29fa elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"b9c29fa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"far fa-times-circle\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">It is not a safety date, except when used on infant formula.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-525f78c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"525f78c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Sell By<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dcb13fa elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"dcb13fa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>This date is intended for retailers and helps determine how long a product should remain on store shelves.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a63a008 elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"a63a008\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-check-circle\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">According to the Institute of Food Technologists, approximately one-third of a product\u2019s shelf life may remain after the sell-by date for consumer use at home.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aa03472 elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"aa03472\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"far fa-times-circle\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">It is not a safety date.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a11bfe6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a11bfe6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Freeze By<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c15d5d8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c15d5d8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>This date indicates when a product should be frozen to maintain peak quality.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-617b23a elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"617b23a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"far fa-times-circle\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">It is not a purchase or safety date.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bca6d8f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"bca6d8f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9653a95 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"9653a95\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-716e467 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"716e467\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/landing-page-icon-3.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-24792\" alt=\"Two people looking into a refrigerator with concerned expressions while examining food items including eggs, milk, lettuce, and jars, illustrating uncertainty about food freshness and expiration dates.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/landing-page-icon-3.png 500w, https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/landing-page-icon-3-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-52e6551 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"52e6551\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d657359 elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"d657359\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\" id=\"food-safety\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1c90359 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1c90359\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How Long Are Foods Good After the Expiration Date?<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a0c155e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a0c155e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>According to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service:<\/p><p>\u201cWith the exception of infant formula, if the date on your food passes during home storage, a product should still be safe and wholesome if handled properly until spoilage is evident.\u201d<\/p><p>Consumers should check foods for signs of spoilage such as off odors, off flavors, or changes in texture.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4fb0c30 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"4fb0c30\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2dfd50a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2dfd50a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f4f8bc4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"f4f8bc4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/landing-page-icon-6.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-24793\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/landing-page-icon-6.png 500w, https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/landing-page-icon-6-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f1c34fd e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f1c34fd\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c489717 elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"c489717\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\" id=\"canned-foods\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-956bb4d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"956bb4d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How Long Does Commercially Canned Food Last?<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d320b85 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d320b85\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Commercially canned food can last a long time when stored properly.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ab6e16e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ab6e16e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">According to the USDA:<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-60c56b9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"60c56b9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Quality Tip: <\/strong>Store canned foods in a cool, dry location to help maintain quality.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-69175c3 elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"69175c3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-clock\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\"><strong>High-acid canned foods<\/strong>, such as tomatoes and citrus fruits, may keep for up to 1.5 years.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-clock\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\"><strong>Low-acid canned foods<\/strong>, including vegetables, meat, and fish, may last up to 5 years.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7626954 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7626954\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Quality Tip: <\/strong>Store canned foods in a cool, dry location to help maintain quality.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a5f4403 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a5f4403\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0a4e3a0 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0a4e3a0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-006676b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"006676b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/landing-page-icon-4.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-24794\" alt=\"Close-up of a jar lid with a printed expiration date on the top of the container.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/landing-page-icon-4.png 500w, https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/landing-page-icon-4-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-85f50ad e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"85f50ad\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0c446d1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"0c446d1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\" id=\"home-canning\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9d43863 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9d43863\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How Long Does Home-Canned Food Last?<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b6917b4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b6917b4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>According to the USDA, properly canned foods stored in a cool, dry place can retain optimum eating quality for at least one year.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e79869a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e79869a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">According to the USDA:<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad447f0 elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"ad447f0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-exclamation-triangle\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Foods stored near heat, indirect sunlight, or dampness may lose quality more quickly.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-exclamation-triangle\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Dampness may corrode cans or metal lids and cause leakage that can result in food spoilage.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-af87a6b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"af87a6b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-21c7d8d e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"21c7d8d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-835525a elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"835525a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/AdobeStock_184481106.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-24374\" alt=\"Home freezer filled with packaged meat and frozen vegetables stored for long-term preservation.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/AdobeStock_184481106.png 500w, https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/AdobeStock_184481106-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-58f035e e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"58f035e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c6bfe38 elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"c6bfe38\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\" id=\"spoilage-signs\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5769cf5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5769cf5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Signs Food May Be Spoiled<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f9b5540 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f9b5540\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Food should not be eaten if spoilage is present, even if it is within the printed date range.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1dcb12f elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"1dcb12f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"far fa-times-circle\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Off odors<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"far fa-times-circle\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Off flavors<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"far fa-times-circle\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Changes in texture<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"far fa-times-circle\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Mold growth<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"far fa-times-circle\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Swollen or leaking packaging<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"far fa-times-circle\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Corroded or damaged cans<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-74036d9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"74036d9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Safety Tip: <\/strong>If you are unsure whether food is safe, it is best to throw it away.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-30abc0a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"30abc0a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-271e4fe e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"271e4fe\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a54e071 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"a54e071\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Expiration-dating.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/pub-example.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-24774\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5e0803c e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5e0803c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c115a94 elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"c115a94\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\" id=\"download-guide\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2912371 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2912371\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Download the Full Expiration Date Guide<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d2ff6f3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d2ff6f3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Want a printable version of this resource? Download the full UW Extension guide for additional food safety and storage information.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-95aee2c e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"95aee2c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-86c2dad elementor-align-justify elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"86c2dad\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Expiration-dating.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Download PDF guide<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-256b64e e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"256b64e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9513820 e-con-full elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"9513820\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4e8032d e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4e8032d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8d0d192 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8d0d192\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Quick Reference Resources<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d285c92 elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"d285c92\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.fsis.usda.gov\/food-safety\/safe-food-handling-and-preparation\/food-safety-basics\/food-product-dating\" target=\"_blank\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-link\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/Foodsafety.gov\" target=\"_blank\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-link\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Foodsafety.gov<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.foodsafety.gov\/food-safety-charts\/cold-food-storage-charts\" target=\"_blank\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-link\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Freeze Your Food Chart <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-link\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">UW Extension Nutrition &amp; Food Safety Homepage<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-196eda0 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"196eda0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-16792d1 e-con-full elementor-hidden-mobile e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"16792d1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dc5707c e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"dc5707c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d548562 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"d548562\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.uwyo.edu\/uwe\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"504\" height=\"216\" src=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Uw-logo-white.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-23785\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4b571cb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4b571cb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><em>The University of Wyoming is an equal opportunity\/affirmative action institution.<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-506f81e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"506f81e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u00a9 2026<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7eb6b2a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7eb6b2a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn what \u201cBest By,\u201d \u201cSell By,\u201d and \u201cUse By\u201d dates actually mean, how long common foods typically last, and practical ways to reduce food waste while keeping your household safe.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":24924,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_canvas","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-24745","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/24745","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24745"}],"version-history":[{"count":144,"href":"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/24745\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24930,"href":"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/24745\/revisions\/24930"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24924"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24745"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}