Is this still good?

It's time to clean out the fridge again, but wait...you are confronted by the age-old question:
Is this still good? (if you're asking, hmm probably not)
​Find the answers to all of your burning questions below.

---

Q: Can you eat food past its "use by" date?

A: In general, "use by" and "expiration" are on the serious end of the expiration spectrum. 
​

• "Use by" is usually found on fresh foods like dairy products, meat, and packages of lettuce and other produce.
  

• "Expiration" is the one found on baby formulas. Even if you decide to ignore all other dates, these are the ones to pay attention to. Eggs are the eggception to the rule (see what I did there?) and are usually okay to eat up to 5 weeks after you buy them, even if that's past the date on the carton.

Q: Well, what about "best by" dates?

A: "Best by" dates - sometimes listed as "best before," "best if used by," and "sell by" - are totally fine to consume past that date (I've eaten old chocolate and lived to tell the tale). Most foods are fine to eat well past the date just as long as they taste, look, and smell okay.

Q: Can I eat week-old leftovers?

A: After food is cooked it should sit out at room temperature for a maximum of 2 hours before being refrigerated to slow down bacteria growth. Once stored in the fridge, leftovers should be eaten within 3 to 4 days because bacteria can still grow even at frigid temps.

Q: How long is food good for after a power outage?

A: According to the FDA, your fridge will keep your food cold for up to 4 hours without power - if you keep the door shut.

Your freezer will keep food frozen for 24 hours to 48 hours - if you keep the door shut; 24 hours if your freezer is half-empty (or half-full depending on how you look at it) and 48 hours for a fully stocked freezer.

---

If you're questioning yourself about whether an item is safe to eat or not,
err on the side of caution and toss it. ​​