What Does the Sell-by Date Mean on Meat?
Understanding product dating is necessary to comprehend the sell-by date.
Product dating may appear to be the most complex issue ever. Due to this confusion, many people throw perfectly good foods, like beef, in the trash because the product date has passed.
The sell-by date is specifically for the retailer. The sell-by date informs both the store owner and the staff of the last day they can keep the beef on the shelves. The item needs to be removed from the shelf once the date has passed.
Usually, retailers discount the beef as the sell-by date approaches. Because of the beef’s continued acceptable quality and safety, the majority of consumers stock up on it.
The use-by date is probably the least confusing product date. If the beef is fresh, it needs to be eaten by the time the use-by date passes.
The same goes for the freeze-by date. The freeze-by date informs the user of the final day that the meat can be eaten or frozen.
On fresh meat, a package with a date is typically found. However, this date can be confusing, especially for consumers.
The meat doesn’t deteriorate as quickly as most consumers think it will. People also believe that the beef will remain fresher than it should.
Fresh chilled beef can keep for three days if it is packaged typically in a tray or wrapped in butcher paper. The beef may even last seven days if it is properly vacuum sealed.
Last but not least, the expiration date informs the consumer that the beef must be consumed by that date or earlier. It is uncommon to see expiration dates on fresh meats. However, they are printed on some processed meats.
How Long Is Beef Good For After Sell-By Date
Your beef is still safe even if it has passed its sell-by date. After its sell-by date, fresh beef will keep in the refrigerator for one to two days. As long as it is properly stored, it can be kept in the freezer for six to eight months.
Corned beef will keep for 1-2 weeks in the refrigerator and for 6-8 months in the freezer. Steaks and ground beef both keep well for one to two days in the refrigerator and six to eight months in the freezer.
In theory, cooked beef products like steaks and ground beef can keep for 6-7 days. However, it will only keep for 3–4 days in the fridge out of concern for food safety.
Cooked beef lasts in the freezer for 6-8 months. However, the quality may start to decline after 3-4 months.
In the refrigerator, beef in cans and corned beef will keep for 5-7 days. However, eating it within 3-4 days may be better.
These beef products cannot be frozen because they were cooked before they were canned. The texture of the corned beef or canned beef would be ruined by freezing them.
How to Freeze Beef
Since you can freeze beef before or after the sell-by date, you should be aware of the proper freezing techniques to ensure the longest possible shelf life. Vacuum sealing beef is the best method of freezing it.
But since not everyone has a vacuum sealer, you can double-wrap the beef in plastic wrap instead. Place the beef in a freezer bag after covering it with a layer of foil or parchment paper.
Before sealing the bag, remove as much air as possible from it. The beef could develop a freezer burn if it is exposed to air.
Before freezing the bag, write the type of beef and the current date on it.
How To Tell if Beef Is Spoiled
Beef may still be good after the sell-by date. However, the way the beef is prepared at the facility, in the store, or when you get it home could cause it to spoil. This is why it’s critical to understand how to identify spoiled beef.
Beef will develop a foul odor once it has gone bad. You will be forced to discard the beef because you can’t stand the smell.
Rotten beef will also develop a sticky, slimy texture.
A wall of bacteria wrapped around the beef. So before touching anything else, make sure you wash your hands thoroughly in hot, soapy water.
Rotten beef may also be discolored. A brownish hue does not, however, always indicate that the beef is spoiled.
Metmyoglobin’s chemical reaction causes the brown color to appear. Essentially myoglobin in eef comes into contact with oxygen.
Additionally, freezing the beef may also cause changes. However, the beef is still good as long as there is no mold or indication of spoilage.
On the other hand, if the beef’s use-by date has passed and it smells rancid or has an off texture, it is spoiled.
If you must wonder whether the beef has gone bad, throw it away. Although nobody enjoys throwing away food or money, eating spoiled beef could make you ill.
Taking in spoiled beef exposes you to bacteria that can cause food poisoning.
Food poisoning symptoms include exhaustion, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, and fever. So don’t take a chance and throw the spoiled beef away.
Don’t freak out the next time you forget about the beef you left in the refrigerator. Simply look at the sell-by date.
Check the beef for spoiled signs if the sell-by date has passed. If the beef is spoiled, toss it in the trash.
If not, the beef will keep in the refrigerator for a few days and the freezer for six to eight months.
You might also be interested in the following:
Steak Past its Sell-By Date
FAQ
How long does beef last after use by date?
It is not necessary to throw away any products after their “best before” date as long as meat is stored correctly and safely. Up to two days after this date, people can safely eat ground beef that has been refrigerated. It is advised to consume ground beef within four months of freezing.
Can you eat ground beef 5 days after sell by date?
Depending on how it was handled, you can typically use ground beef one to three days after the sell-by date. After the sell-by date, the quality of the meat starts to deteriorate, so you should use it right away or freeze it.
How strict is beef expiration date?
Depending on what it is, you can keep food with expired sell-by dates stored at home for a limited period of time. Ground meat and poultry (1 to 2 days past the date), beef (3 to 5 days past the date), and eggs (3 to 5 weeks past the date) are a few examples of commonly used products.
Is beef good after 7 days?
The USDA suggests using cooked beef within 3 to 4 days while keeping it chilled (at 40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. USDA recommends using cooked leftovers within 3 to 4 days.