Try: caregiver (cg) wants to make sure that the foods are safe to prepare and eat materials reading glasses or magnifying glass to read dates trash can try the following terms are used to refer to the dates usually found on perishable foods sell-by tells the grocery store how long to display the product best if used by or before lets you know when you will get the best flavor or quality it is not the safety date use-by is the last date recommended for the use of the product while at peak quality if the product has a use by date that is the date that you should use use the reading glasses or magnifying glass if you have difficulty reading the dates if frozen foods and kept continuously in the freezer they are safe indefinitely even if there is an expiration date canned foods usually have a manufacturer manufacturer’s date use the following rules of thumb for stored canned goods if the can is in good condition and has been stored in a cool clean and dry place 12-18 months for high acid foods such as tomatoes grapefruit and pineapple 2 to 5 years for low acid foods such as meat poultry fish and most vegetables if there is an odor discoloration or mishandling of food follow the number one rule when in doubt throw it out

Materials: Computer with an internet connection phone book and phone

Categories: Maintenance, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www usda gov and www eatright org

Keywords: Food product safety food storage guidelines food safety hazards

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed