What Expiration Dates Really Mean

Expiration Dates mean your product is nearing its end, but there are so many variations of what it can stand for. Whether we are cleaning out our fridge or simply decluttering our home, expiration dates can play a big part in whether we keep or get rid of a product. Expirations are used in various ways. ' Use-by' and 'Best by' are just some of the ways to describe an expiration date. But what do these different variations of expiration dates really mean? Understanding the various meanings will really help you when cleaning or decluttering!

Let's dive in!

Food Products:

*Use-by Date: This is the last date recommended for this product to be at its best quality. You can usually find this in foods like meat, dairy, and packaged produce.

*Best if used by: This indicates when the product will be at its best flavor or quality.

*Sell-by date: This date tells the store how long it can display the product on its shelves. Although it is not a safety date, you can still eat the food after this date.

*Freeze-by date: This means when a product should be frozen to maintain peak quality. It is not a safety date.

Beauty Products:

Expiration dates on beauty products determine how long you should use them after opening. They can also be represented by a PAO symbol or a small open jar icon. The jar symbol will say 12M (12 months) or 24M (24 months). It is essential to check these expiration dates. Not only could the product be ineffective, but it could also potentially harm your skin.

Signs that your product expired: color, smell, or texture changes.

Cleaning Products:

Just like beauty products, cleaning products have an expiration date. Most last about a year, but check the expiration date. Expired cleaning products can lose their effectiveness and potentially harm your surfaces.

Ultimately, ensure expiration dates are checked and heavily considered pending the product.