12 Foods You Can Eat Even After the Expiry Date

The amount of food in good condition that goes to the trash annually just for waste reaches alarming rates. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), “about a third of all food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted, which is equivalent to 1.3 billion tons per year”.

A situation that, of course, could be reversed (or at least minimized) with simple measures, such as, for example, making people more aware of the fact that, under certain conditions, it is possible to consume certain foods even after the expiration date. expiry date stated on the packaging.

O awesome.club explains, in this post, the maximum time for consumption of various products (even after the expiration date) and presents some conservation tips to, in this way, reduce the impact of waste on the environment and on your pocket.

Concerned about the huge amount of wasted food around the world, representatives of the National Council for the Defense of Natural Resources in the United States (NRDC) and the Food Law and Policy Clinic at the famous Harvard University, also in the United States , carried out a detailed analysis of the conditions of products whose expiration dates were beyond those indicated on their packaging and of the way Americans deal with these foods. The results indicate that 90% of people (at least in the US) discard these products.

Dana Gunders, one of the authors of the studies, explains that, in most cases, it is possible to consume food even after the expiration date and without risks to health. She also indicated how much “survival” time each food has. In the case of the United States, the issue of information printed on labels about the expiration date is not regulated by the government, being the responsibility of each manufacturer.

Gunders asserts that, at least in the United States, it is customary for most people to throw food in the trash after the expiration date, even when those products are still in good condition. An example illustrates this situation well: the Instituto do Ovo, an association created in Spain to research the benefits of consuming eggs, informs that this food remains in good condition for consumption up to 28 days after the expiration date indicated on the package. In relation to toast, Gunders says that even if consumed a month after the expiration date, they are still crunchy. To preserve these delights, the researcher recommends that they be stored in jars with airtight closures, as this helps to avoid contact with moisture. If they are a little mushy, just spread a little oil on them and leave for a few minutes in the oven. In addition to not compromising health, they are delicious. Already the jellies contain sugar, which in itself is already a natural food preservative. Therefore, as long as they are kept well closed and away from sunlight and a lot of humidity, they are preserved for a long time, even after the expiration date.

At preserves, as the name implies, usually have a very long shelf life, if they are packaged in cans or glasses. The ideal, however, is to be aware (especially in the case of cans) for possible oxidation points (rust) or for the presence of bubbles — in the case of canned goods in jars. Low acid ones, like vegetables, tend to last from one to five years. Those with high acidity, such as citrus fruits, cucumbers and tomatoes, have a shelf life of 12 to 18 months. Recommendations for better preservation are simple: keep the preserves in cool and airy places, avoiding high temperatures. The Organization of Consumers and Users of Spain, an entity for the defense of consumer rights, indicates that soft drinks and alcoholic beverages they can be consumed even weeks after their expiration date — it’s just important to avoid cans that have dented parts or signs of tampering, for example. In the case of alcoholic beverages with a graduation above 10% (in the case of wines and spirits), there is no expiration date. Already the ready soups (sold in powdered packets) contain salt, starch and flavor enhancers. If on the one hand they are not natural products, on the other hand they have the advantage of acting as preservatives. Even so, it is important to store these soups in dark, dry and cool places to ensure they last longer.

The maximum time for consumption of yogurts is six weeks after the expiration date stated on the packaging, as explained by Dr. Gunders. The tip to ensure their conservation is also simple: avoid storing them in the refrigerator door, precisely because there the greatest temperature variation occurs as a result of the opening and closing of the appliance. The best thing is to leave this product at the bottom — most refrigerators have indications in the drawers and shelves about what type of product should be stored there. According to the aforementioned Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the cheeses firmer and that are not matured or have some type of fungus (in the case of gorgonzola) do not have a minimum shelf life established, and may only have the date of manufacture informed, and not the expiration date. Hard sausages (in the case of salami) and semi-dried or cooked (the powderResult, for example) can also be stored for long periods. The sausages of the first group can stay for six weeks in the pantry without risk of spoilage and for indefinite periods in the refrigerator. Already dry or semi-dry can stay for two weeks in the refrigerator before opening (or seven days after opening) and one to two months in the freezer.

At chips can last up to one month after the date and manufacture indicated on the packaging. This will also depend on how they are stored. If the package is not well closed, they can receive moisture and have their consistency changed. You Ana Maria style cakes or Twinkies they don’t last more than 50 years, as a relatively well-known urban legend says. They can stay unpacked for a maximum of 25 days, although it is recommended to keep them in the refrigerator. in the case of breads, the expiration of the shelf life does not necessarily mean that the product has already become unsuitable for health. To preserve them, the ideal is to place them in an airtight package and, before consuming, use your good old sense of smell to evaluate. In the face of any more acidic smell or the presence of mold, it is necessary to discard the food.

Finally, it is important to note that the expressions “expiration date” and “preferably consume before” do not mean the same thing. In the case of the second (“preferably consume”), it is important, before ingesting, to verify that the food has been preserved according to the recommendations. In the case of the shelf life, the recommendation is to keep in mind if they are, for example, meat products or fishes and sea food. In these situations, there is, indeed, a risk of consuming after the expiration date. It is also important to keep them refrigerated at all times.

Do you usually consume any food after the expiration date? What do you do to ensure the conservation of the products you consume?