Saturday May 26, 2012

JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION

Do use-by dates cause people to toss out food and drinks too soon?

Have Your Say Jul. 13, 2011 - 06:15AM JST ( 22 )

Order by Time Order by Popularity

22 Comments

1

lotus2Jul. 13, 2011 - 09:02AM JST

Yes.
-1

MrDogJul. 13, 2011 - 09:08AM JST

Yes. They should change back to YEARS ago, when they just had "Produced on" dates, and you used your own judgement.
1

jeffydiverJul. 13, 2011 - 09:40AM JST

Oh yes, the expiration date is a keen tool to get people to over-spend for unnecessary concerns; it's pure and deceiving psychology in a class all it's own.

But this is a wonderful question, why not send this questionnaire to some wonderful constituents like the citizens in Ukraine or Africa first, and then make a keen evaluation as to how you should look at the expiration date question on a food product ? Common sense will tell you, to use Common Sense on everything !
2

FarmboyJul. 13, 2011 - 10:07AM JST

One hopes the use by date is based on a reasonable hypothesis of how long something can be used safely. If so, then it's fine. Still, if the creaking sounds coming from that bulging can of 1987 green beans don't put you off, then by all means, indulge! I'm busy that night, by the way, and can't attend your dinner party.
3

MariaJul. 13, 2011 - 02:31PM JST

What does "too soon" mean? before they've gone off? I'd at least give the item a sniff test before chucking it - I'd never throw anything out unopened. I'm more likely to throw out something that's been half-used, and has been sat in the dusty corner of the larder/equivalent for ages.
1

PapaEshuJul. 13, 2011 - 03:34PM JST

Not many.. Only those people who can't think for them selves... Only those people who can't think for themselves.. Oh.. Wait..
-1

FireyReiJul. 13, 2011 - 05:57PM JST

Yep, sorry but 'too soon' could be the day you buy it, or two years before it....

Whatever, write these things properly!!!
-2

theFuJul. 13, 2011 - 09:20PM JST

Usually no. Most of those dates have nothing to due with reality ... except on milk. Then I find the date listed is usually beyond when it has spoiled.

It depends on the packaging and if we're talking canned foods, fresh meats, dairy, cheese, or baked foods. Canned foods almost always last 5+ yrs and I'd wouldn't be surprised if double that worked. Some things, like pasta or noodles, do go bad even if they do not have an expiration date.
0

Harry_GattoJul. 14, 2011 - 08:28AM JST

"Yep, sorry but 'too soon' could be the day you buy it, or two years before it...."

Nope, sorry, me no understand.........
-1

Zenny11Jul. 14, 2011 - 08:31AM JST

I found use-by dates to be on the very safe side(in japan and overseas), most of food will still be fine for a time afterwards. Of course depends on if opened, correct storage and a few other factors.

But I do believe that there are many people out there that will throw food out just because it hit the use-by date.
0

papasmurfinjapanJul. 14, 2011 - 01:31PM JST

I have no problems with something that has passed it's 賞味期限 (Best before date), but when it says 消費期限 (Expiry date) I'll be a bit more cautious.. If it looks okay, smells ok and feels okay, I'll consider eating it.
0

globalwatcherJul. 16, 2011 - 05:01AM JST

Yes.

For some reason, I found most Chinese packages sold in US have no expirations. So what do I do? I avoid all Chinese food sold in US.
-4

steve@CPFCJul. 16, 2011 - 05:06AM JST

globalwatcher; All items sold in each country must comply witblaws re sell by and expire dates. If there is a problem it is at your end (the good ole US of A), the land of the healthy and pure or mind, body and soul.
0

globalwatcherJul. 16, 2011 - 06:48AM JST

steve, I agree. Obama is trying to change it accordingly. Till then, I still need to stick with my shopping criteria.
1

Ah_soJul. 17, 2011 - 09:56PM JST

My Heinz Tomato Ketchup says to refrigerate after opening and consume within 8 weeks. Ridiculous! I can leave in a cupboard for a year and it will be fine - it is full of vinegar, a great preservative.
0

SerranoJul. 17, 2011 - 11:28PM JST

I never buy any fresh fish or meat at the supermarket unless it's discounted at least 30%.
In the case of the 30% discounted stuff, you have to eat it by the next day or it might actually go bad. In the case of the 50% off stuff, you had better eat it that night! So far under this system I have never been sick ( from eating spoiled food ) and I have saved a whole lotta money!
0

FoxieJul. 17, 2011 - 11:36PM JST

I grew up eating things that had expired long ago. It must have been my mum's hobby. Never got sick even if the instant soup expired 10 years ago.
1

ihavegreatlegsJul. 18, 2011 - 06:49AM JST

Unless it is cheese, anything with mold on it gets tossed.
0

JonathanJoJul. 19, 2011 - 01:21AM JST

In UK there are products marked "Use By ..." meaning they will be pretty rank after the date, and products marked "Best Before ..."meaning they probably won't do you any harm.

Nothing quite like a few bacteria to keep your defences up though.
0

johninnahaJul. 19, 2011 - 08:10AM JST

Often when cheese gets to the expiration date, and the 30 percent or 50 percent stickers come on, it's just right to eat.

Except for blue cheeses, when the mold gets a bit too much.

Watch the supermarket, though, because sometimes they'll add a bit to the price before they calculate the reduced price, so you end up with a price difference of only a hundred yen or so, in spite of the sticker saying 50 percent off.
-1

johninnahaJul. 19, 2011 - 11:20AM JST

When I first got to Japan, I was quite happy with Japanese food, but occasionally I would get cheese withdrawal. At the time, there was only processed cheese. A very strange product that bore very little resemblance to the real thing and that wouldn't melt even if you put it under a blow torch.

So, I was overjoyed one day to find a can of Camembert in a supermarket. However, when I opened it, the poor thing didn't look very healthy. There was no mold or anything, but it had sort of solidified and more closely resembled a circular bar of soap than a piece of cheese. Except that it wouldn't lather.

Yes. I did try.

Then I looked on the box and there was a translation of the instructions for keeping and serving the cheese.

In French, Italian, German and English, it said, "Do not freeze this product."

And, in Japanese, "Keep this product in the freezer."

It's SO MUCH better these days!
0

wanderlustJul. 19, 2011 - 02:51PM JST

Most of these dates are CYA by companies to avoid litigation in case of any problems. But with so many cases of mislabeling and re-labeling by Japanese food companies, who knows how long the food has really been in that container. Eyes, nose and common sense are highly recommended!