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The rise in prices, the lack

of supplies and the logistical problems derived from the war between Russia and Ukraine have unleashed (again) fears about a possible food shortage.

Thousands of Spaniards have been launched in recent weeks to empty the shelves of hypermarkets, supermarkets and even the corner bazaar.

Among the problems derived from this compulsive purchase is food waste

.

Is the expiration date and the preferred consumption date the same?

Are there foods that can extend their shelf life after expiring their best before date?

What is the difference between best before date and expiration date?

The

expiration date

is marked for security reasons.

It is typical of

highly perishable products such as

raw and fresh meat and fish.

These foods should be consumed within a few days as they are a wonderful breeding ground for pathogenic bacteria.

Once the expiration date has expired, there is a real risk that the product is in poor condition and its consumption is dangerous for our health.

The best

-before date

is set for a matter of quality.

It is typical of much more durable and stable products such as rice, pasta or cookies.

Once this date has passed, they may have lost part of their properties.

For example, presenting a somewhat rancid flavor, having less aroma or a strange aroma, changing texture, color... The good news is that in this case there is no microbiological risk.

Can food be frozen before it expires?

Although products that have exceeded their expiration date should not be consumed, we can freeze them if we see that they are about to expire and we will not have the opportunity to eat them before.

This can be done with meat, fish, even smoked salmon, cooked ham... Important!

When defrosting these products, we must

consume them in less than 24 hours, taking

care to cook them properly.

Do yogurts expire?

Yogurts do not expire.

And this has been the case for years.

Specifically, since 2014, when the then Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment established that this food should only indicate a

preferred consumption date

(not expiration), determined by the manufacturers.

The measure, contained in Royal Decree 271/2014, sought to simplify labelling, adapt Spanish legislation to European legislation and reduce food waste.

However, some yoghurt producers argued that the expiration date should be maintained.

An agreement was reached with the administration so that those manufacturers who wanted to could continue marking yogurts with an expiration date (although extending it from the 28 days they had at that time to the 35 they currently have).

For this reason, right now it is possible to find some yogurts with an expiration date and others with a best before date in supermarkets.

What foods are not required to indicate the expiration date or preferential consumption?

There are foods that are very rich in sugar, salt or different acids that are hostile to the development of life inside them.

That is,

few bugs are excited to be born, grow and reproduce in a packet of salt

.

For this reason, there are products that are not required to indicate an expiration date or preferred consumption date:

  • Unprocessed fresh fruits and vegetables

  • The wines

  • Bakery products for immediate consumption

  • kitchen salt

  • the vinegars

  • The sugar

  • Confectionery products made almost exclusively with sugar or chewing gum

Until when can I consume a product where the preferred consumption date is indicated?

Despite the fact that their organoleptic characteristics (taste, texture...) may have changed, there are foods that can extend their shelf life and their consumption is safe beyond the best before date (as long as we don't notice anything unusual in them by looking at them, smelling them or sinking your teeth into them, of course).

15 MORE DAYS:

* Sliced ​​bread


* Yogurt


* Other pasteurized dairy products such as Burgos cheese

1 MORE MONTH

* Unfilled pastries (croissant)


* Sliced ​​cured ham and sausages


* Nuts

3 MORE MONTHS

* Toast, biscuits and breakfast cereals


* UHT drinks: milk, juices...


* Vegetable drinks


* Margarine and butter


* Bonbons


* Dry cheese


* Snacks and chips


* Uncut cured sausages


* Packaged sauces


* Oil

* Frozen food

1 YEAR MORE

* Dried and preserved legumes


* Dry pasta, cereals, rice, flour.


* Canned and glass canned vegetables


* Canned meat and fish


* Coffee, tea and infusions


* Chocolate bar


* Candy and chewing gum


* Condensed milk


* Quince, honey

* Spices

Conforms to The Trust Project criteria

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