According to Second Harvest Canada, about 58% of the food that is produced in Canada ends up in our landfills. In fact, if you took all the food wasted globally, not only could that food help alleviate food insecurity, it would be the equivalent of the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases.
Why?
There are several reasons, but perhaps the one you and I can influence is by educating ourselves and correcting our understanding of best-before dates and expiry dates.
As a former food security coordinator, I was shocked by the wastage and by the myths and misconceptions that most of us have about “best before dates,” and “expiry dates” for food. Many people believe these dates are established by some government department when in fact there are only five food categories that have an “expiry date” and should never be consumed after the date on the packaging. Infant formula, meal replacements, medically formulated liquid diets, very low-energy medical foods, and nutritional supplements are the only foods that are mandated not to be used past the date listed on them.
“Best before dates,” are set by the product vendor, and are based on “freshness and taste,” not food safety. These foods are still edible after those dates; however, there are certain guidelines to follow. Second Harvest produces an excellent tool to use as a reference (SECOND HARVEST BEST BEFORE TIMETABLE) which was also the primary source for information for this post.
Produce. Fresh fruits and vegetables can be eaten if there is no spoilage, blemishes, visible decay, or odors. Also, as a society, we tend to choose “perfect-looking” produce often leaving misshapen items in the grocery store racks that are perfectly edible and just as nutritious.
Canned fruits, vegetables, pickles, sauces, and/or pastes are still edible up to 1 year past the best-before dates. Even many volunteers in food banks are sometimes not aware of this fact as are many clients of food banks. Correcting this simple misconception would dramatically reduce the waste going to our landfills. Please note that any canned product that is dented, corroded, or rusty should not be consumed.
Dairy. This includes milk, or milk alternatives, butter, yogurt, cheese, ice cream, and/or sour cream all will remain edible up to two weeks past the best-before date and up to 2 to 3 months past that date if frozen on or before the best-before date. Keep in mind to trust your senses for any food that is past the best-before date.
Shelf-stable evaporated, powdered, or milk alternatives remain usable up to 1 year past their best-before dates.
Raw meat and fish. These products should be consumed by their best-before dates unless they are frozen on or before that date. Frozen beef, lamb, pork, and whole poultry can be used for up to 1 year. Poultry pieces for 6 months, ground meat for 2-3 months, and frozen fish for 2-6 months past. Many of us keep items in our freezer longer than those dates and you should be aware the nutritional content degrades after the extended time limits.
Cooked luncheon meats, tofu, and eggs. These packaged items can be used up to 1 week after their best-before dates. An interesting test for eggs is to see if they float, normally eggs do not float, if they do float do not consume them. As an additional note, most food banks and meal programs cannot accept donations of farm-fresh eggs due to government regulations.
Shelf-stable canned meats, fish, beans, chickpeas, nuts, nut butter, peanut butter, seeds, and spam. Typically, all these food items can be used up to 1 year past their best-before dates.
Bread, buns, bagels, pitas, tortillas, flatbread, naan, and matzah. According to Second Harvest’s guide if there is no spoilage, blemishes, visible decay, mold, or biodegrading smell these products can be consumed for any length of time. Freezing these products before their best-before date does help extend their useable life.
Dry shelf-stable cereals, crackers, flour, oats, pasta, rice, quinoa, meals, or energy bars. These items can be consumed up to 1 year past their best-before dates.
Perishable cakes, cookies, pies, danishes, chocolate, and/or pudding. These items can be consumed up to 72 hours past their best-before dates. If they are frozen before that date, they can be consumed up to 1 month past that date.
Shelf-stable cookies, chips, popcorn, bagged snacks, snack cakes, and granola bars. These items can be consumed up to 1 year past their best-before dates.
Prepared foods. Pre-cooked or ready-to-eat meals, deli salads, pizza, or sandwiches can be consumed up to 72 hours past their best-before dates. If they are frozen before the best-before date, they can be consumed up to 1 month past that date.
Prepared foods. Frozen dinners, microwavable meals. These products can be consumed up to 72 hours past the before date. If they are frozen before the date, they can be consumed for up to 1 month after the date.
Caution! All these guidelines are predicated on proper storage and inspection before consumption. Remember the five categories of food products that cannot be consumed after the expiry date on the packaging: infant formula, meal replacements, formulated medical liquid diets, very low-energy medical foods, and nutritional supplements.
Caution!! Foods that have been opened, foods that have been “plated” and exposed to “touch”, and foods that have been exposed to temperature extremes, such as frozen food that have thawed, should not be consumed after their initial servings.
Caution!!! Food banks and community meal programs cannot accept donations of foods that have been “plated,” opened, or subject to extremes in temperatures.
Food Rescue. Second Harvest operates Canada’s leading food rescue program that enables restaurants, grocery stores, local farmers, and producers to share excess food or food that is nearing the “best before date.” Another misconception held by some potential donors is their reluctance to donate because of potential liability issues, everyone should know every province in Canada has legislation in place to protect donors of food to encourage more food to be “rescued.”
Unusable food composting. Businesses and people who have products that can no longer be safely consumed should participate in their neighborhood composting programs. Our local Zehrs participates in the Food Rescue Program as well as our composting program and in 2022 achieved a “zero” waste success and is a great example of what can be achieved.
Food Donations. Food banks, community meal programs, and community garden programs need your help and your excess groceries. Financial help is the best solution because they can purchase the items, they require but food donations are also appreciated. Try not to donate foods that are past the “best before dates” if possible so they have time to distribute donations. As well, most food organizations are always looking for more volunteers and your help would be appreciated.
Community Gardens. A great way to help local food insecurity is to support and/or volunteer with your local community gardens network. In our community, we are fortunate to have a tireless person running our program and like most communities, she can always use help. The networks do more than just grow plants, they educate people of all ages, they encourage businesses to compost, they share food with meal programs and food banks, and their gardens help to foster the spread of more pollinators through “bee and butterfly” gardens.
Gleaning. Local farmers can help by donating surplus foods to community gleaning programs. Call or visit 211 online to find local organizations that operate these programs.
What Can You Do? Share this post with your friends and family. Share Second Harvest’s Best Before Timetable from the above link and help dispel the myth that best-before dates and expiry dates are the same things. Volunteer your time to support local food organizations and your community.
You can make a difference. Start today and help us reduce food wastage in your community. Food insecurity affects one in seven Canadians, we have enough food, and we need to ensure it gets to the people who need it in time. You will help your vulnerable neighbors and help reduce the impact of climate change.
Thank you,
Paul.