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10 SOLERA DIAMOND VALLEY | NOVEMBER 2023 By eresa Rossetti, Resident Best by, Sell by, Use by, Eat at your own peril dates (okay, I made that last one up), what do they really mean? Here's what we need to know. Expiration dates are not "throw me out" dates. In the U.S., food product dating is voluntary for all products except baby food. e dates on our food indicate when the manufacturers believe the item will no longer be at peak quality. Some foods last a very, very long time. Vinegars, honey, vanilla or other extracts, sugar, salt, molasses stay to be used for years. White flour is another example, but whole-wheat or whole grain cannot say the same. Do you have white rice in the pantry? It's good to go as well but brown rice last only months. As for breads – supermarket breads will stay so for weeks in the fridge, but bakery bread will go stale much faster. And I hope we all know to discard any bread that is developing a very interesting shade of green on the edges. at is, unless you're trying to make your own penicillin, but I don't recommend that. How about canned goods? So long as the can is not bulging or rusty, they should be okay for a long time. Of course, if they are moldy inside or smell rotten, throw the contents out. Oils in sealed cans will last but if they smell metallic, soapy or fishy, toss them. What about condiments? Mustard will be with you forever. Most sauces - soy, chili, fish sauce - will be fine stored in the fridge aer opening. Ketchup can lose its color, and does contain more sugar than other condiments, so keep an eye on it if it's been hanging around for a while. Milk – come on, we all know what bad milk smells like! Not sure? Sniff test before pouring into that coffee cup or cereal bowl. Meat, poultry and fish can go bad quickly. Slimy is never good. Freeze or use them soon aer purchase. With the holidays coming up, some of us will be digging out recipes we haven't used in a year. Many will require an ingredient that's been in your kitchen since last December. It's good to know my lemon/orange/rum/almond extracts are fine, but I need to cast a shady eye on that can of cranberry sauce that just looks a little wobbly on the shelf. Enjoy your food safely, and "when in doubt, throw it out!" Beach Pool Party Beach Pool Party Can I Eat That ?