People throw away tons of food every year, and most of them check the expiration dates on the products to see if they are still safe to consume.

However, apparently, these dates are not always what they seem.

The National Resource Defense Council stated that the “Sell by” dates do not indicate the safety of foods, as they are more like a prediction about the time the item will be kept in stock.

Other variations like “Use by” and “Best by” typically indicate the prediction of the manufacturer about the time when the item has reached its optimal freshness, and not its spoilage.

Therefore, these dates can be quite confusing.

To be more certain about the condition of the food you intend to consume, you should pay attention when it was bought and when it was opened. These are the real expiration dates of some of the most popular foods:

Milk

In most cases, it lasts a week more than the “Sell by” date, but we advise you to smell it before you drink it, and if it smells sour, you should toss it.

Honey

Honey can last an entire lifestyle, as it cannot go off, so you should not throw it away.

Chocolate

The boxed chocolate can stay from 6-9 months at room temperature, and up to 18 months if frozen.

Uncooked Poultry

It can be kept in the freezer for 9 months, and a few days in the fridge after purchase.

Peanut Butter

The jar of peanut butter can stay up to 4 months in the pantry after it has been opened.

Yogurt

The commercially packaged yogurt can stay a week or two weeks after the “Sell by” date, and 1-2 months if frozen.

Eggs

If you freeze the eggs, they can last up to a year, and if you keep them in the basket, keep them 3-5 weeks after purchase.

Fish

If you freeze the salmon, it can be kept for 2-3 months for best taste, while the unopened item will last a day or two from the date of purchase.

Sources and References:
www.aol.com -- Original Article Source
makeyourlifehealthier.com
www.littlethings.com
www.webmd.com