Sell-by dates don't mean what you think. They indicate food quality rather than food safety, meaning you can still consume some foods well past their expiry dates. Provided you store the food properly in refrigerators below 4°C, you won't have to worry about their expiry dates. In fact, you could rely on your senses of smell, sight, and taste to determine food safety and not necessarily rely on expiry dates. So, here are seven foods that you don't have to worry about expiring in your refrigerator.
1. Eggs
When you need food fast, eggs are probably one option that comes to mind. You can prepare eggs in different ways, at any time. What's better, you don't need to be an experienced chef to do it. Eggs are a source of protein and fat, making them appealing to have in your refrigerator. Additionally, they won't spoil easily. When properly stored, This superfood lasts 3 to 5 weeks past the expiry date. However, be sure to store your eggs at the back of your refrigerator where temperatures are coldest to last longer.
2. Canned fruits and vegetables
Food canning is an excellent way to store perishable foods for longer. However, the time varies as low-acid foods like meat and veggies tend to last longer and can clock two to five years without spoilage, while high-acid foods like pineapples and tomatoes can only last around 18 months, Canned fruits and veggies that last longer include peas, corn, peaches, pears, and beans.
3. Cabbage
Cabbages offer crunchy salads complemented by a hearty slice of bacon. They're closely related to head lettuce, but unlike their relative, they last longer in refrigerators. Cabbages can indeed last for several months stored properly. Be sure to peel off the outer green leaves of cabbages before storing them to enhance food safety.
4. Frozen fish fillets and poultry
Fresh fish and poultry will not last for long under room temperature. However, you can extend their shelf life by storing them in a freezer below 00F to last around 4 to 6 months without having to worry about their expiry date. The good thing is that you can package these products in small retort pouches, allowing you to use them as per your needs for an extended period.
5. Jerky
It boasts a long-standing history of being nutrient-dense meat stored through drying. Jerky is mostly made from beef and can last for 7 to 12 months when stored in a refrigerator. You should use zip-lock bags to place your jerky in a refrigerator. Remember to remove all the air from the bag before sealing it and placing it in the freezer for extended future use.
6. Ultra-high temperature treated milk
Fresh milk can last for around a week when stored in refrigerators. What if I told you that you can extend the shelf-life of your milk by using the UHT process? UHT extends the shelf-life of milk to 90 days by heating milk at high temperatures and packaging it in sterilized packages. A recent study also demonstrated how to extend the 90-day shelf-life to a 9-month shelf-life by storing the UHT milk in refrigerators at temperatures of around 4°C.
7. Hard Cheese
Hard cheese like Romano or parmesan last longer than soft cheese because they have low moisture content. The recommended sell-by date of hard cheese is usually 3 to 4 weeks from purchase, but you can extend this to 6 months by refrigerating below 40C. Remember to wrap your cheese with cheese paper or use wax as a sealant before placing it in a refrigerator. This maintains the low-moisture content of your hard cheese.
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