Forget the best-before date
It refers only to freshness and quality, says Goodridge. Instead, acquaint yourself with safety guidelines for specific foods. Deli meats, hot dogs and soft cheeses, for example, are associated with listeria, a type of bacteria that can grow in cold temperatures. Consume these foods within two to three days of opening them. Never, ever ignore these 13 expiration dates.
Don’t rely on the smell test
“The bacteria that spoil food are not the same as those that make us sick,” says Goodridge. If the food smells, it’s not safe to eat, but a lack of odour doesn’t guarantee it’s edible. Aim to consume leftovers within two to three days to avoid food poisoning. Check out these ten foods you had no idea you could freeze.
If you suspect a foodborne illness, seek medical help
If you don’t, says Goodridge, public health professionals won’t know that you got sick. Reporting your illness helps alert the correct authorities and gets contaminated food recalled faster. Find out the 38 things hospitals won’t tell you.