The answer on both accounts is no. For one, food companies determine their own shelf-life, and it behooves them to put it out as long as possible, but that end point is one often based on quality. And for me as a consumer, when I buy something, or more importantly eat something, I want it to be good quality. I realize that it is on me then, to use that food within the stated date. I paid good money for it and how wise is it to let that food get past that date so I am eating something less than good.
Secondly, food shelf-life can vary greatly depending on ingredients used, type of packaging, how it was processed, etc. Foods that are minimally process, or contain little to no preservatives will have a shorter shelf-life than more processed foods. Companies must determine what date they can achieve on individual product types, which takes into account the ingredients, processing, packaging, and storage. This is not something that can be dictated in a cookie cutter approach.
We seldom see articles that reinforce good consumership....buying what you need, using it in a timely fashion, preparing and serving an amount that will be used, utilizing left-overs, etc. I want to use food at its best quality, not having to choke something down that is on the verge of spoilage.
https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/17/business/sell-by-dates-food-safety/index.html
The truth, and strategy, of food expiration dates
By Danielle Wiener-Bronner, CNN Business
Updated 4:38 AM ET, Sun July 17, 2022
New York (CNN Business)When you walk into a supermarket and pick up an item — anything from milk to cereal to a can of beans — you'll likely see a little date on the package preceded by "enjoy by," "sell by," or a similar phrase.
You might think that date is the absolute last day that food is safe to eat. You'd be wrong. But you wouldn't be alone in coming to that mistaken conclusion, because the system behind food label dates is an absolute mess.
https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/17/business/sell-by-dates-food-safety/index.html
The truth, and strategy, of food expiration dates
By Danielle Wiener-Bronner, CNN Business
Updated 4:38 AM ET, Sun July 17, 2022
New York (CNN Business)When you walk into a supermarket and pick up an item — anything from milk to cereal to a can of beans — you'll likely see a little date on the package preceded by "enjoy by," "sell by," or a similar phrase.
You might think that date is the absolute last day that food is safe to eat. You'd be wrong. But you wouldn't be alone in coming to that mistaken conclusion, because the system behind food label dates is an absolute mess.
