Here’s when these popular foods actually expire

Many people may have the habit of throwing out foods that have passed their expiration dates. But, these foods aren’t necessarily inedible or unsafe to eat.

Food manufacturers label products with “best before” or “best if used by” dates to enforce quality control, but those dates don’t reflect a product’s safety or nutritional value—with baby formula being the exception.

So, when do foods actually “expire?” Knowing this can not only reduce food waste, but may also help you make wise decisions when grocery shopping and meal planning. In addition to using common sense techniques like sniffing to notice spoilage, you can follow general guidelines about when certain foods actually expire.

Here’s a list of the most common grocery items and how long they’re safe to eat past the “best by” date.

How long will food last?

Eggs

Eggs are generally good for three to five weeks after the "sell by" date on the package if refrigerated at or just below 40°F. To avoid temperature fluctuations, you may want to store eggs in the back of the fridge.

Given that large window, older eggs can be safely used when thoroughly cooked.

Milk, yogurt, and non-dairy milk

If stored properly at or just below 40°F, whole milk is usually good for a week after opening, whereas skim milk can last up to 10 days.

Yogurt can last up to two weeks after its “best by” date if unopened and refrigerated. If opened, yogurt is good to eat for a week after expiration date.

Dairy products will famously smell sour after a time, indicating they’re unsafe to eat. Non-dairy milk, like almond and oat milk, can last up to six months after opening.

Packaged greens

Bagged greens can generally last up to five days after purchase in the crisper drawer in the fridge, although some greens (like arugula) can last longer than a week. You’ll want to eat your greens before that green slime shows up.

To help leafy greens stay fresh, line the bottom of the drawer with paper towels or washable fridge mats, which can absorb excess moisture and prevent wilting. Check every two days to see if the towels need to be replaced.

Bacon

Bacon is safe to eat one to two weeks after its “sell by” date on the packaging, if refrigerated properly. It can also be frozen for up to eight months for later use.

Dried spices

Dried spices normally have a much longer shelf life than foods that require refrigeration—but that doesn’t mean they don’t expire. Ground spices typically last two to three years stored in a spice drawer.

However, spices can lose their flavor over time. If you’re not sure whether some old spice has expired, you can do a smell test to see if the spice is still fragrant. If not, it may be too old to use.

Storing spices by a heat source or in open sunlight will make them lose their flavor much faster.

Condiments

In general, condiments that have salt, sugar, vinegar, or any combination of the three as main ingredients have a long shelf life. Ketchup, mustard, and vinegar-based hot sauces can be stored in the fridge for up to six months after opening.

Mayonnaise, which has eggs as its main ingredient, is safe to eat within three months after opening. To remind yourself, you can use some Scotch tape to label the opening date on the condiments.

Yeast

If you tend to bulk-buy yeast for frequent sourdough baking, you'll want to make sure you're storing it safely. Once your yeast packet is opened, it should be stored in the fridge. Yeast can then last up to four months in the fridge or be frozen for up to two years.

Coffee

Technically coffee beans don’t expire—but they can taste rancid and ruin your mornings. Fresh beans make better-tasting coffee, and proper storage is key to maintaining freshness. In addition to properly storing the beans so they stay fresh longer, you'll want to use them within five months after their roasting date.