Food dating, am I right? It’s a hodgepodge of systems from expire dates to “born on” dates. What is the real deal on food safety?
Rather than trying to re-explain the food dating system, we’re going to give a list of the links that are our go-tos. We hope this helps sort out some of the confusion. The bottom line? Baby food and formula need to be thrown out on their expiration date. Everything else? Well, check out the links below.
From Virginia Cooperative Extension: https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/pubs_ext_vt_edu/en/FST/fst-422/fst-422.html
And don’t forget—frozen food, especially frozen meat, has its own safety practices. Freezing keeps food safe almost indefinitely, but quality does change over time. That’s why we freeze many of the proteins in our pantry—to extend their life while still keeping them safe and good to eat.
Here’s a quick guide from USDA on best frozen food practices: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/freezing-and-food-safety
When it comes time to defrost, check out our Defrosting Guidelines here: http://loudounhunger.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Frozen-Foods-Defrosting-Guidelines-1.pdf
Use your nose, and your food dating will make sense—but when it comes to frozen meat, use the freezer guidelines too!
