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Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 14 (from laksa141)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa014.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://wylieer.com/do-food-expiration-dates-really-matter/\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://wylieer.com/do-food-expiration-dates-really-matter/\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/wylieer.com\/do-food-expiration-dates-really-matter\/","crawl_time":1775567953,"first_indexed_time":1690442976,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,wylieer!\/do-food-expiration-dates-really-matter\/ s443","src_root_hash":"2264869454292454614","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Do food expiration dates really matter? - Wylie ER 24\/7 Emergency Room","meta_descriptions":["Discover the truth about food expiration dates and how long it is safe to eat expired foods."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Trash it or not … how long is it safe to eat expired foods  \nThere has been a time in all of our lives when we grabbed something from the refrigerator and noticed the expiration date had passed. Whether it’s one day or a week, we all wonder what this date really means—can we still eat the food, and does the expiration date really matter?\nContrary to most beliefs, according to the\nU.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service\n, expiration dates on food are not a requirement by the federal government, except for on baby formula. However,\nsome states\ndo require expiration dates by law.\nThe words found on the food expiration dates are not a hard “throw this away” date. These words are meant to be quality callouts to retailers and manufacturers.\n“Sell-by”\ndate indicates to the retailer to move a food product off the shelf.\n“Best if used by”\ndate notifies the differences in food quality after the date.\n“Use-by”\ndate is the last date manufacturers suggest using the food item based on the quality.\nNone of these phrases indicate a product is not safe.\nIs Food Safe After It Expires?\nIs the expiration date on food really a matter of concern? No, the expiration dates on food are directly related to quality and not safety. However, food does spoil or “go bad.” It is recommended to use a food product by the listed date and to use your best judgment on throwing food out for health and safety.\nWhat to look for to know if food is bad:\nThe smell is off.\nThere is mold present on the food.\nThe food’s texture has changed.\nThe food has an unpleasant or “different” taste.\nThe General Guidelines for Common Food Items\nAfter bringing food home, the following items should be safe in the refrigerator or pantry for the following\namount\nof time. Also, putting items in the\nfreezer\ncan preserve the food quality longer without reducing the nutritional value.\nMilk:\n7 days in the refrigerator\nEggs:\n3 to 5 weeks in the refrigerator\nGround Meat:\n1 to 2 days in the refrigerator and 3 to 4 months in the freezer\nLunch meat:\n2 weeks in the refrigerator and 1 to 2 months in the freezer\nDry Pasta:\n1 to 2 years in the pantry\nSteaks:\n3 to 5 days in the refrigerator\nFresh Poultry:\n1 to 2 days in the refrigerator or 1 year in the freezer\nCanned Fruit:\n12 to 18 months in the pantry or 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator\nRice:\n2 years in the pantry\nIf you or a loved one are suffering from food poisoning or other symptoms of eating spoiled food,\nWylie ER’s\nteam of expert physicians are here to initiate treatment to help you heal quickly. For efficient, compassionate, and accurate care, come to our facility 24\/7\/365.\nDisclaimer:\nAs a service to our readers, Wylie ER and Nutex Health state no content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.\nCategory\nTags","attrs_markdown":"![](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/tr?id=505275371247697&ev=PageView&noscript=1) ![](https:\/\/jelly.mdhv.io\/v1\/star.gif?pid=lv6M2Qm9I6h7mFO93sWksNRg0BfF&src=mh&evt=hi)\n\n[Skip to content](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/do-food-expiration-dates-really-matter\/#content)\n\n- [STANDARD CHARGES](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/price-transparency\/)\n- [469-782-0620](tel:469-782-0620)\n- werinfo@thecolonyer.com\n\n[![](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wylieer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wylie_Logo_WhiteWordmark.png?fit=3502%2C834&ssl=1) ![](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wylieer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wylie_Logo_WhiteWordmark.png?fit=3502%2C834&ssl=1)](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/)\n\n- [Home](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/)\n- [About](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/about\/)\n  - [Meet the Leadership Team](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/leadershipteam\/)\n  - [FAQs](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/faqs\/)\n  - [Nutex Health](https:\/\/nutexhealth.com\/)\n- [Services](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/services\/)\n  - [Pediatric Care](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/pediatric-care\/)\n  - [Imaging & Laboratory](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/imaging-laboratory\/)\n  - [Outpatient Services](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/outpatient-services\/)\n  - [Medical Detox](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/medical-detox\/)\n  - [Mental Health Support](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/mental-health-support\/)\n- [Resources](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/resources\/)\n  - [Pay My Bill](https:\/\/www.nutexhealth.com\/pay-a-bill\/)\n  - [Careers](https:\/\/thecolonyerhospital.easyapply.co\/)\n  - [Billing & Insurance](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/billing-insurance\/)\n  - [Price Transparency](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/price-transparency\/)\n- [Reviews](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/reviews\/)\n- [Blog](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/blog\/)\n- [Contact](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/contact\/)\n\n[Wylie ER 24\/7 Emergency Room](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/)\n\n- [Home](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/)\n- [About](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/about\/)\n  - [Meet the Leadership Team](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/leadershipteam\/)\n  - [FAQs](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/faqs\/)\n  - [Nutex Health](https:\/\/nutexhealth.com\/)\n- [Services](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/services\/)\n  - [Pediatric Care](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/pediatric-care\/)\n  - [Imaging & Laboratory](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/imaging-laboratory\/)\n  - [Outpatient Services](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/outpatient-services\/)\n  - [Medical Detox](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/medical-detox\/)\n  - [Mental Health Support](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/mental-health-support\/)\n- [Resources](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/resources\/)\n  - [Pay My Bill](https:\/\/www.nutexhealth.com\/pay-a-bill\/)\n  - [Careers](https:\/\/thecolonyerhospital.easyapply.co\/)\n  - [Billing & Insurance](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/billing-insurance\/)\n  - [Price Transparency](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/price-transparency\/)\n- [Reviews](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/reviews\/)\n- [Blog](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/blog\/)\n- [Contact](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/contact\/)\n\n© 2026 Wylie ER 24\/7 Emergency Room. Created for free using WordPress and [Colibri](https:\/\/colibriwp.com\/)\n\n[Check In](https:\/\/portal.gorev.com\/preregister.aspx?s=ivQBBIMiOKCwIbqd4snfyQ%3D%3D&f=0yYZpO6KdAt6qE5yt3z9UA%3D%3D&l=NNwEBfPJTAkRyf2X4Dd38Q%3D%3D)\n# Do food expiration dates really matter?\n\n[![Expiration Date](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Article-Photos-Sydney-61.png)](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/do-food-expiration-dates-really-matter\/ \"Do food expiration dates really matter?\")\n\n## Trash it or not … how long is it safe to eat expired foods\nThere has been a time in all of our lives when we grabbed something from the refrigerator and noticed the expiration date had passed. Whether it’s one day or a week, we all wonder what this date really means—can we still eat the food, and does the expiration date really matter?\n\n## **About Expiration Dates**\nContrary to most beliefs, according to the [U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service](https:\/\/www.fsis.usda.gov\/food-safety\/safe-food-handling-and-preparation\/food-safety-basics\/food-product-dating), expiration dates on food are not a requirement by the federal government, except for on baby formula. However, [some states](https:\/\/refed.org\/downloads\/ReFED_HFLPC_Policy_Chart.pdf) do require expiration dates by law.\n\nThe words found on the food expiration dates are not a hard “throw this away” date. These words are meant to be quality callouts to retailers and manufacturers.\n\n- **“Sell-by”** date indicates to the retailer to move a food product off the shelf.\n- **“Best if used by”** date notifies the differences in food quality after the date.\n- **“Use-by”** date is the last date manufacturers suggest using the food item based on the quality.\n\nNone of these phrases indicate a product is not safe.\n\n## **Is Food Safe After It Expires?**\nIs the expiration date on food really a matter of concern? No, the expiration dates on food are directly related to quality and not safety. However, food does spoil or “go bad.” It is recommended to use a food product by the listed date and to use your best judgment on throwing food out for health and safety.\n\n### **What to look for to know if food is bad:**\n- The smell is off.\n- There is mold present on the food.\n- The food’s texture has changed.\n- The food has an unpleasant or “different” taste.\n## **The General Guidelines for Common Food Items**\nAfter bringing food home, the following items should be safe in the refrigerator or pantry for the following [amount](https:\/\/www.foodsafety.gov\/food-safety-charts\/cold-food-storage-charts) of time. Also, putting items in the [freezer](https:\/\/www.fsis.usda.gov\/food-safety\/safe-food-handling-and-preparation\/food-safety-basics\/freezing-and-food-safety) can preserve the food quality longer without reducing the nutritional value.\n\n- **Milk:** 7 days in the refrigerator\n- **Eggs:** 3 to 5 weeks in the refrigerator\n- **Ground Meat:** 1 to 2 days in the refrigerator and 3 to 4 months in the freezer\n- **Lunch meat:** 2 weeks in the refrigerator and 1 to 2 months in the freezer\n- **Dry Pasta:** 1 to 2 years in the pantry\n- **Steaks:** 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator\n- **Fresh Poultry:** 1 to 2 days in the refrigerator or 1 year in the freezer\n- **Canned Fruit:** 12 to 18 months in the pantry or 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator\n- **Rice:** 2 years in the pantry\n\nIf you or a loved one are suffering from food poisoning or other symptoms of eating spoiled food, [Wylie ER’s](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/) team of expert physicians are here to initiate treatment to help you heal quickly. For efficient, compassionate, and accurate care, come to our facility 24\/7\/365.\n\n**Disclaimer:** As a service to our readers, Wylie ER and Nutex Health state no content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.\n\n### Share this:\n- [Share on X (Opens in new window) X](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/do-food-expiration-dates-really-matter\/?share=twitter)\n- [Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/do-food-expiration-dates-really-matter\/?share=facebook)\n\n###### Category\n[Blog](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/category\/blog\/)\n###### Tags\n[ER](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/tag\/er\/ \"ER Tag\")[Expiration Dates](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/tag\/expiration-dates\/ \"Expiration Dates Tag\")[Food](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/tag\/food\/ \"Food Tag\")[Food Safety](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/tag\/food-safety\/ \"Food Safety Tag\")[Health](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/tag\/health\/ \"Health Tag\")[safety](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/tag\/safety\/ \"safety Tag\")\n\n## Post navigation\n[Previous post The Dangers of Drinking Alcohol While Taking Medication](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/the-dangers-of-drinking-alcohol-while-taking-medication\/)\n\n## Post navigation\n[Next post How to Properly Dispose of Expired Medication](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/how-to-properly-dispose-of-expired-medication\/)\n\nComments are closed\n\n##### Recent Posts\n- [Wylie ER Named Best Emergency Room in Wylie for the Seventh Consecutive Year](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/wylie-er-named-best-emergency-room-in-wylie\/)\n- [Honoring Our Healthcare Heroes: Certified Nurses Day](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/honoring-our-healthcare-heroes-certified-nurses-day\/)\n- [Can You Get Dehydrated in the Winter?](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/can-you-get-dehydrated-in-the-winter\/)\n- [Understanding Chest Pain and When to Seek Emergency Care](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/understanding-chest-pain-and-when-to-seek-emergency-care\/)\n- [A Bad Bug 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[Resources](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/resources\/)\n- [Whistleblower Policy](https:\/\/www.nutexhealth.com\/whistleblower\/)\n- [Price Transparency](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/price-transparency\/)\n- [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/privacy-policy\/)\n\n© 2019\n\n[![](https:\/\/qp4.d18.myftpupload.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/TheColony_Logo_Mar2022-02.png)](https:\/\/thecolonyer.com\/)\n\n4780 State Hwy 121\n\nThe Colony, TX 75056\n\n214-469-1119\n\n[![](https:\/\/qp4.d18.myftpupload.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/WPER_Logo_Mar2022-02.png)](https:\/\/westplanoer.com\/)\n\n2000 Dallas Pkwy \\#100\n\nPlano, TX 75093\n\n972-378-7878\n\n© 2026 Wylie ER 24\/7 Emergency Room.","attrs_readable_markdown":"## Trash it or not … how long is it safe to eat expired foods\nThere has been a time in all of our lives when we grabbed something from the refrigerator and noticed the expiration date had passed. Whether it’s one day or a week, we all wonder what this date really means—can we still eat the food, and does the expiration date really matter?\n\nContrary to most beliefs, according to the [U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service](https:\/\/www.fsis.usda.gov\/food-safety\/safe-food-handling-and-preparation\/food-safety-basics\/food-product-dating), expiration dates on food are not a requirement by the federal government, except for on baby formula. However, [some states](https:\/\/refed.org\/downloads\/ReFED_HFLPC_Policy_Chart.pdf) do require expiration dates by law.\n\nThe words found on the food expiration dates are not a hard “throw this away” date. These words are meant to be quality callouts to retailers and manufacturers.\n\n- **“Sell-by”** date indicates to the retailer to move a food product off the shelf.\n- **“Best if used by”** date notifies the differences in food quality after the date.\n- **“Use-by”** date is the last date manufacturers suggest using the food item based on the quality.\n\nNone of these phrases indicate a product is not safe.\n\n## **Is Food Safe After It Expires?**\nIs the expiration date on food really a matter of concern? No, the expiration dates on food are directly related to quality and not safety. However, food does spoil or “go bad.” It is recommended to use a food product by the listed date and to use your best judgment on throwing food out for health and safety.\n\n### **What to look for to know if food is bad:**\n- The smell is off.\n- There is mold present on the food.\n- The food’s texture has changed.\n- The food has an unpleasant or “different” taste.\n## **The General Guidelines for Common Food Items**\nAfter bringing food home, the following items should be safe in the refrigerator or pantry for the following [amount](https:\/\/www.foodsafety.gov\/food-safety-charts\/cold-food-storage-charts) of time. Also, putting items in the [freezer](https:\/\/www.fsis.usda.gov\/food-safety\/safe-food-handling-and-preparation\/food-safety-basics\/freezing-and-food-safety) can preserve the food quality longer without reducing the nutritional value.\n\n- **Milk:** 7 days in the refrigerator\n- **Eggs:** 3 to 5 weeks in the refrigerator\n- **Ground Meat:** 1 to 2 days in the refrigerator and 3 to 4 months in the freezer\n- **Lunch meat:** 2 weeks in the refrigerator and 1 to 2 months in the freezer\n- **Dry Pasta:** 1 to 2 years in the pantry\n- **Steaks:** 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator\n- **Fresh Poultry:** 1 to 2 days in the refrigerator or 1 year in the freezer\n- **Canned Fruit:** 12 to 18 months in the pantry or 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator\n- **Rice:** 2 years in the pantry\n\nIf you or a loved one are suffering from food poisoning or other symptoms of eating spoiled food, [Wylie ER’s](https:\/\/wylieer.com\/) team of expert physicians are here to initiate treatment to help you heal quickly. For efficient, compassionate, and accurate care, come to our facility 24\/7\/365.\n\n**Disclaimer:** As a service to our readers, Wylie ER and Nutex Health state no content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.\n\nCategory\n\nTags","meta_canonical":null}

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Meta Title	Do food expiration dates really matter? - Wylie ER 24/7 Emergency Room
Meta Description	Discover the truth about food expiration dates and how long it is safe to eat expired foods.
Meta Canonical	null
Boilerpipe Text	Trash it or not … how long is it safe to eat expired foods There has been a time in all of our lives when we grabbed something from the refrigerator and noticed the expiration date had passed. Whether it’s one day or a week, we all wonder what this date really means—can we still eat the food, and does the expiration date really matter? Contrary to most beliefs, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service , expiration dates on food are not a requirement by the federal government, except for on baby formula. However, some states do require expiration dates by law. The words found on the food expiration dates are not a hard “throw this away” date. These words are meant to be quality callouts to retailers and manufacturers. “Sell-by” date indicates to the retailer to move a food product off the shelf. “Best if used by” date notifies the differences in food quality after the date. “Use-by” date is the last date manufacturers suggest using the food item based on the quality. None of these phrases indicate a product is not safe. Is Food Safe After It Expires? Is the expiration date on food really a matter of concern? No, the expiration dates on food are directly related to quality and not safety. However, food does spoil or “go bad.” It is recommended to use a food product by the listed date and to use your best judgment on throwing food out for health and safety. What to look for to know if food is bad: The smell is off. There is mold present on the food. The food’s texture has changed. The food has an unpleasant or “different” taste. The General Guidelines for Common Food Items After bringing food home, the following items should be safe in the refrigerator or pantry for the following amount of time. Also, putting items in the freezer can preserve the food quality longer without reducing the nutritional value. Milk: 7 days in the refrigerator Eggs: 3 to 5 weeks in the refrigerator Ground Meat: 1 to 2 days in the refrigerator and 3 to 4 months in the freezer Lunch meat: 2 weeks in the refrigerator and 1 to 2 months in the freezer Dry Pasta: 1 to 2 years in the pantry Steaks: 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator Fresh Poultry: 1 to 2 days in the refrigerator or 1 year in the freezer Canned Fruit: 12 to 18 months in the pantry or 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator Rice: 2 years in the pantry If you or a loved one are suffering from food poisoning or other symptoms of eating spoiled food, Wylie ER’s team of expert physicians are here to initiate treatment to help you heal quickly. For efficient, compassionate, and accurate care, come to our facility 24/7/365. Disclaimer: As a service to our readers, Wylie ER and Nutex Health state no content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. Category Tags
Markdown	![](https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=505275371247697&ev=PageView&noscript=1) ![](https://jelly.mdhv.io/v1/star.gif?pid=lv6M2Qm9I6h7mFO93sWksNRg0BfF&src=mh&evt=hi) [Skip to content](https://wylieer.com/do-food-expiration-dates-really-matter/#content) - [STANDARD CHARGES](https://wylieer.com/price-transparency/) - [469-782-0620](tel:469-782-0620) - werinfo@thecolonyer.com [![](https://i0.wp.com/wylieer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Wylie_Logo_WhiteWordmark.png?fit=3502%2C834&ssl=1) ![](https://i0.wp.com/wylieer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Wylie_Logo_WhiteWordmark.png?fit=3502%2C834&ssl=1)](https://wylieer.com/) - [Home](https://wylieer.com/) - [About](https://wylieer.com/about/) - [Meet the Leadership Team](https://wylieer.com/leadershipteam/) - [FAQs](https://wylieer.com/faqs/) - [Nutex Health](https://nutexhealth.com/) - [Services](https://wylieer.com/services/) - [Pediatric Care](https://wylieer.com/pediatric-care/) - [Imaging & Laboratory](https://wylieer.com/imaging-laboratory/) - [Outpatient Services](https://wylieer.com/outpatient-services/) - [Medical Detox](https://wylieer.com/medical-detox/) - [Mental Health Support](https://wylieer.com/mental-health-support/) - [Resources](https://wylieer.com/resources/) - [Pay My Bill](https://www.nutexhealth.com/pay-a-bill/) - [Careers](https://thecolonyerhospital.easyapply.co/) - [Billing & Insurance](https://wylieer.com/billing-insurance/) - [Price Transparency](https://wylieer.com/price-transparency/) - [Reviews](https://wylieer.com/reviews/) - [Blog](https://wylieer.com/blog/) - [Contact](https://wylieer.com/contact/) [Wylie ER 24/7 Emergency Room](https://wylieer.com/) - [Home](https://wylieer.com/) - [About](https://wylieer.com/about/) - [Meet the Leadership Team](https://wylieer.com/leadershipteam/) - [FAQs](https://wylieer.com/faqs/) - [Nutex Health](https://nutexhealth.com/) - [Services](https://wylieer.com/services/) - [Pediatric Care](https://wylieer.com/pediatric-care/) - [Imaging & Laboratory](https://wylieer.com/imaging-laboratory/) - [Outpatient Services](https://wylieer.com/outpatient-services/) - [Medical Detox](https://wylieer.com/medical-detox/) - [Mental Health Support](https://wylieer.com/mental-health-support/) - [Resources](https://wylieer.com/resources/) - [Pay My Bill](https://www.nutexhealth.com/pay-a-bill/) - [Careers](https://thecolonyerhospital.easyapply.co/) - [Billing & Insurance](https://wylieer.com/billing-insurance/) - [Price Transparency](https://wylieer.com/price-transparency/) - [Reviews](https://wylieer.com/reviews/) - [Blog](https://wylieer.com/blog/) - [Contact](https://wylieer.com/contact/) © 2026 Wylie ER 24/7 Emergency Room. Created for free using WordPress and [Colibri](https://colibriwp.com/) [Check In](https://portal.gorev.com/preregister.aspx?s=ivQBBIMiOKCwIbqd4snfyQ%3D%3D&f=0yYZpO6KdAt6qE5yt3z9UA%3D%3D&l=NNwEBfPJTAkRyf2X4Dd38Q%3D%3D) # Do food expiration dates really matter? [![Expiration Date](https://wylieer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Article-Photos-Sydney-61.png)](https://wylieer.com/do-food-expiration-dates-really-matter/ "Do food expiration dates really matter?") ## Trash it or not … how long is it safe to eat expired foods There has been a time in all of our lives when we grabbed something from the refrigerator and noticed the expiration date had passed. Whether it’s one day or a week, we all wonder what this date really means—can we still eat the food, and does the expiration date really matter? ## About Expiration Dates Contrary to most beliefs, according to the [U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service](https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/food-product-dating), expiration dates on food are not a requirement by the federal government, except for on baby formula. However, [some states](https://refed.org/downloads/ReFED_HFLPC_Policy_Chart.pdf) do require expiration dates by law. The words found on the food expiration dates are not a hard “throw this away” date. These words are meant to be quality callouts to retailers and manufacturers. - “Sell-by” date indicates to the retailer to move a food product off the shelf. - “Best if used by” date notifies the differences in food quality after the date. - “Use-by” date is the last date manufacturers suggest using the food item based on the quality. None of these phrases indicate a product is not safe. ## Is Food Safe After It Expires? Is the expiration date on food really a matter of concern? No, the expiration dates on food are directly related to quality and not safety. However, food does spoil or “go bad.” It is recommended to use a food product by the listed date and to use your best judgment on throwing food out for health and safety. ### What to look for to know if food is bad: - The smell is off. - There is mold present on the food. - The food’s texture has changed. - The food has an unpleasant or “different” taste. ## The General Guidelines for Common Food Items After bringing food home, the following items should be safe in the refrigerator or pantry for the following [amount](https://www.foodsafety.gov/food-safety-charts/cold-food-storage-charts) of time. Also, putting items in the [freezer](https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/freezing-and-food-safety) can preserve the food quality longer without reducing the nutritional value. - Milk: 7 days in the refrigerator - Eggs: 3 to 5 weeks in the refrigerator - Ground Meat: 1 to 2 days in the refrigerator and 3 to 4 months in the freezer - Lunch meat: 2 weeks in the refrigerator and 1 to 2 months in the freezer - Dry Pasta: 1 to 2 years in the pantry - Steaks: 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator - Fresh Poultry: 1 to 2 days in the refrigerator or 1 year in the freezer - Canned Fruit: 12 to 18 months in the pantry or 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator - Rice: 2 years in the pantry If you or a loved one are suffering from food poisoning or other symptoms of eating spoiled food, [Wylie ER’s](https://wylieer.com/) team of expert physicians are here to initiate treatment to help you heal quickly. For efficient, compassionate, and accurate care, come to our facility 24/7/365. Disclaimer: As a service to our readers, Wylie ER and Nutex Health state no content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. ### Share this: - [Share on X (Opens in new window) X](https://wylieer.com/do-food-expiration-dates-really-matter/?share=twitter) - [Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook](https://wylieer.com/do-food-expiration-dates-really-matter/?share=facebook) ###### Category [Blog](https://wylieer.com/category/blog/) ###### Tags [ER](https://wylieer.com/tag/er/ "ER Tag")[Expiration Dates](https://wylieer.com/tag/expiration-dates/ "Expiration Dates Tag")[Food](https://wylieer.com/tag/food/ "Food Tag")[Food Safety](https://wylieer.com/tag/food-safety/ "Food Safety Tag")[Health](https://wylieer.com/tag/health/ "Health Tag")[safety](https://wylieer.com/tag/safety/ "safety Tag") ## Post navigation [Previous post The Dangers of Drinking Alcohol While Taking Medication](https://wylieer.com/the-dangers-of-drinking-alcohol-while-taking-medication/) ## Post navigation [Next post How to Properly Dispose of Expired Medication](https://wylieer.com/how-to-properly-dispose-of-expired-medication/) Comments are closed ##### Recent Posts - 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Readable Markdown	## Trash it or not … how long is it safe to eat expired foods There has been a time in all of our lives when we grabbed something from the refrigerator and noticed the expiration date had passed. Whether it’s one day or a week, we all wonder what this date really means—can we still eat the food, and does the expiration date really matter? Contrary to most beliefs, according to the [U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service](https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/food-product-dating), expiration dates on food are not a requirement by the federal government, except for on baby formula. However, [some states](https://refed.org/downloads/ReFED_HFLPC_Policy_Chart.pdf) do require expiration dates by law. The words found on the food expiration dates are not a hard “throw this away” date. These words are meant to be quality callouts to retailers and manufacturers. - “Sell-by” date indicates to the retailer to move a food product off the shelf. - “Best if used by” date notifies the differences in food quality after the date. - “Use-by” date is the last date manufacturers suggest using the food item based on the quality. None of these phrases indicate a product is not safe. ## Is Food Safe After It Expires? Is the expiration date on food really a matter of concern? No, the expiration dates on food are directly related to quality and not safety. However, food does spoil or “go bad.” It is recommended to use a food product by the listed date and to use your best judgment on throwing food out for health and safety. ### What to look for to know if food is bad: - The smell is off. - There is mold present on the food. - The food’s texture has changed. - The food has an unpleasant or “different” taste. ## The General Guidelines for Common Food Items After bringing food home, the following items should be safe in the refrigerator or pantry for the following [amount](https://www.foodsafety.gov/food-safety-charts/cold-food-storage-charts) of time. Also, putting items in the [freezer](https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/freezing-and-food-safety) can preserve the food quality longer without reducing the nutritional value. - Milk: 7 days in the refrigerator - Eggs: 3 to 5 weeks in the refrigerator - Ground Meat: 1 to 2 days in the refrigerator and 3 to 4 months in the freezer - Lunch meat: 2 weeks in the refrigerator and 1 to 2 months in the freezer - Dry Pasta: 1 to 2 years in the pantry - Steaks: 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator - Fresh Poultry: 1 to 2 days in the refrigerator or 1 year in the freezer - Canned Fruit: 12 to 18 months in the pantry or 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator - Rice: 2 years in the pantry If you or a loved one are suffering from food poisoning or other symptoms of eating spoiled food, [Wylie ER’s](https://wylieer.com/) team of expert physicians are here to initiate treatment to help you heal quickly. For efficient, compassionate, and accurate care, come to our facility 24/7/365. Disclaimer: As a service to our readers, Wylie ER and Nutex Health state no content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. Category Tags
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