Do you go to the supermarket, pick up some food and put it in the shopping cart? Or always remember to check the packaging label to see if the product is inside the expiration date? It is very likely that, in the day-to-day rush, you have already forgotten to do this ever, are you not?
O expiration date it is information that guides the person in relation to the time that a food maintains its original characteristics, remaining safe to be eaten, that is, without the risk of causing food infections. That is why it is so important to be careful when shopping. But you know how the stipulation is expiration date of the products? To understand how this procedure works and to adopt healthier habits forever, here are explanations about some frequently asked questions among consumers.
After all, how is the expiration date defined?
The shelf life of food on the supermarket shelf is determined by a test, which must be carried out by producers in accordance with technical regulations defined by National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) and other regulatory bodies. For this, Anvisa makes available the Guide for Determining Food Validity Deadlines, which provides fundamental guidelines, such as the Brazilian legislation on food conservation and transportation, as well as methods and factors that define and affect the expiration date.
In general, the test consists of subjecting a small sample of food to different conditions over a period. In this way, some criteria are analyzed - sensory parameters (color, texture, flavor), physical-chemical qualities (pH, water activity, rancidity), nutritional (vitamins, minerals) and microbiological qualities (activity of living organisms). Considering the time limit in which all conditions are at acceptable levels for consumption, the validity is determined.
Do all brands carry out this testing process for their products?
Although the expiration date is mandatory on the label of all packaged Brazilian products, the answer is no. Can you believe it? This is because the process has a high cost - about 30 thousand reais, which makes it unfeasible for many brands. The solution found by these producers to supply the need to have the expiration date in their food is the use of generic values already defined by competing brands.
See examples of standard expiration dates used by the industry:
- Flours - 1 year
- Chocolate - 10 months
- Egg - 1 month
- Cold - 3 days
If not all brands carry out this testing process, when exactly can I consume a food?
There is no single answer to this question, so it is always a good idea to stay tuned. According to the experts, expired products can lose nutrients and, thus, will no longer correspond to what is described on the label. In more severe cases, they can harm the body, causing foodborne infections. And it is necessary to remember that, in case of consumption of expired products, the manufacturer is exempt from any responsibility.
It is also important to understand that, as the expiration date is an approximate value, food may become unfit for consumption even when the stipulated date has not yet been passed. In addition, there are other factors that influence the suitability (or not) of a product for consumption. Whenever the food has a characteristic other than the normal condition, it is essential to check its smell, texture and color and, when in doubt, do not eat it.
Stay tuned: the health of the food depends a lot on the storage conditions. If the product is exposed to higher temperatures, for example, it tends to deteriorate more quickly. Another factor is the contact with air, which also speeds up the decomposition process. Therefore, once opened, the products have new expiration instructions and special storage precautions.
Know the standard time intervals for the consumption of some foods after opening the packaging:
- Coffee - about 3 months
- Butter - up to 30 days
- Ketchup and mayonnaise - up to 30 days
- Meat - 3 days (refrigeration) and 15 days (freezing)
- Canned - 3 days
To keep some foods well-preserved, follow our tips!
Fruits
Preserving them is not always easy, but there are simple solutions. Pack each fruit in a plastic film to reduce the action of gases that accelerate ripening after being released. Thus, the food stays fresh longer!
Yogurt
Yogurt has an average term of three weeks and, to ensure that it does not spoil ahead of schedule, we have two fundamental tips. The first is refrigeration: under no circumstances should yogurt be kept out of the refrigerator. And the second is a master trick: once opened, seal the container with plastic wrap and then cover normally. Thus, the product is even more protected!
Cheese
Some types of cheese, such as pecorino, provolone and parmesan, can last up to three weeks after opening the package. But, for that, it is necessary to wrap the entire surface in plastic film and keep the food at low temperatures.
Liked our tips on expiration date? We have another article with more tactics that will make your food last longer! Oh, and one last golden piece of advice: always prioritize quality packaging and plastic film. Thus, you value hygiene and health, protecting yourself and everyone around you. And for that, count on Alpfilm, which has the only plastic film on the market with an antibacterial protection shield. It eliminates 99,96% of the microorganisms that cause food poisoning, enhancing food conservation. Get yours in our online store!