What does sell by date mean on milk

It is advisable to use food as quickly as possible after opening them. Be sure to refrigerate leftovers in a covered container not a can and use within 3 to 5 days. Some canned foods like condiments and pickled foods will have a longer shelf life if refrigerated. Most condiments will have a warning to refrigerate after opening on the label. When buying foods always check the expiration date.

Choose the date farthest in the future for optimum shelf life. Like the grocery, rotate your stock at home. Rather than trying to determine the codes on cans, use a marker to write the purchase date on cans and packaged goods.

Whatever the expiration date, do not open or use cans that are bugling or oozing from the seams, or those that are heavily dented. Most baking mixes contain fats which will become rancid with time and leaveners that lose their potency.

Check the dates. The best storage temperature for canned foods is 65 degrees F. Produce can be a magnet for mold. Depending on what your internal gross meter allows for, you can safely salvage a container of strawberries by throwing away the few berries that are getting moldy.

Likewise, hard produce like apples, potatoes and cauliflower can often be eaten after cutting away the moldy part. While many food safety experts would recommend tossing salad greens that are starting to get slimy, many frugal home cooks and chefs give wilting greens a second life by tossing them in a stir fry or soup — and have lived to tell the tale. Register or Log In. The Magazine Shop. Login Register Stay Curious Subscribe. To eat, or not to eat, that is the question. Newsletter Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news.

Sign Up. Already a subscriber? Want more? More From Discover. Recommendations From Our Store. Stay Curious. View our privacy policy. By doing this, the shelf life of milk is extended by 2—3 weeks 6 , 7. One study found that the temperature in your refrigerator greatly affects how long your milk stays good past the listed date.

Unless milk is shelf-stable, it should never be left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours, as this increases your risk of foodborne illness 3.

In contrast, raw milk has not been pasteurized and has a shorter shelf life. Drinking this type may also increase your risk of foodborne illness 10 , UHT is similar to pasteurization but uses higher heat, making unopened milk products safe to store at room temperature Unopened, UHT milk can generally last 2—4 weeks past the printed date if stored in a cool, dry pantry, and up to 1—2 months in the fridge. However, once opened, UHT milk should be stored in the fridge and consumed within 7—10 days 9.

Milk may be good for several days after the sell-by or best-by date. Here are a few tips on how to keep your milk from spoiling quickly 13 :. While milk can be frozen for up to 3 months, freezing and subsequent thawing can result in undesirable changes in texture and color. That said, it will be safe to drink Even after opening, most milk is safe to drink for several days past the use-by or sell-by date.

Proper storage and handling may help it stay fresh and safe for longer. This is because certain bacteria in rice can survive the cooking process. In fact, it is safe to eat…. How to tell whether milk is bad. How long is it safe to drink? Expiration date Why does it go bad? How to tell Extending shelf life Side effects Summary Milk can stay safe to consume for several days past the expiration date. Safety after the expiration date.

What does expiration date mean? Why does milk go bad? How to tell whether the milk is bad. Ways to make milk last longer. Side effects of consuming spoiled milk. Adolescent depression: Could school screening help?

Related Coverage. What to know about milk. Health benefits and risks of consuming milk. Medically reviewed by Natalie Olsen, R. All about food poisoning. Medically reviewed by University of Illinois. Which type of cow's milk is the healthiest?