Food expired? Don't be so quick to toss it Arlesia McGowan Period 4

By: Alexandra Sifferlin
September 19, 2013

                      
             So, as I am up early in the morning, eating yogurt and looking for something interesting to write about, I come across this one. It may seem highly uninteresting but it grasped my attention because, well....I'm eating food. I'm sure all of us wouldn't fail to mention that we do check the expiration date on our packaged food,  milk ,eggs and all that jazz, but when is it really expired? In this article,Alexandra Sifferlin comes to argue that consumers mistakenly believe the expiration dates and how safe it is to consume, when in reality, the food is still safe to eat (aren't related to any illnesses) and the labels "use by" and "sell by" are really there to help the manufacturers. A new report from the Natural Resources Defense Council and Harvard Law School's Food Law and Policy Clinic says Americans are prematurely throwing out food, largely because of confusion over what expiration dates actually mean. "Use by" and " Best by" dates are intended for consumer use but the date really tells the manufacturer that the product has reached its peak of freshness; its not necessarily spoilage or no longer safe to eat. The label "Sell by", helps the manufacturer to ensure proper turnover products in the store so they can still have a long shelf life. Little do we know, but this label has nothing to do with the consumer; report authors say that this label should be made invisible to the consumer. Report authors aren't against food labeling, they just recommend that people should know how to use these terms. Jena Roberts, vice president for the development at food testing firm says "The manufacturers want to make sure the consumer eats a high quality product", but she acknowledges that even if food is not consumed after its quality date, its not harmful. A beverage might lose a bit of its color, granola its crunch, but it is still safe and edible to eat. Have I changed any mindsets? ;)
                      I must admit, I do throw out food when I open it one day late of its expiration day. My reaction is ew, and I toss it right in the trash and go about my business. After reading this article I will most definitely think twice when I come across an expired product, and it will leave me to ponder immensely. So, to all those food wasters out there with a slight paranoia , I think you should open it first, just to take a taste, and it tastes absolutely horrible out of all imagination then I deem that "throw-away-able", but otherwise you will live. I don't think I considered an expired item poisonous but I know that if it is expired after a week, I will definitely not even open it. Nuh uh. Because of this ad, I will now be more considerate of the food I eat, and not so judgmental when I come across it's "expired-ness" ;). Peace out ya'll.

     Love, 
        Arlesia :)

Here's the link! Click on it! http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/19/health/sell-by-dates-waste-food/index.html?hpt=he_t2