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- Are stores required, by law, to remove outdated items from their shelves?
- Do most consumers actually pay attention to the dating on foods?
- Does the “use by” date matter once the product is frozen?
- Is information on food longevity and safety available by phone?
- What are expiration dates?
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- What if there is no date on a product, and I don’t remember if I bought it a month ago or ten years ago?
- What should consumers know about food product dating?
- When Did You Buy It? When Did You Open It?
- Who establishes these product dates?
- Who requires and regulates dating on foods?
- Why do “best by” and “use by” dates sometimes seem conservative?
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Is information on food longevity and safety available by phone?
For information on meat, poultry, and eggs, call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-674-6854. This hotline can answer questions on food storage, handling, preparation, product dating, and more. By touching the appropriate prompt, the caller can reach a Spanish-speaking food specialist and more than 50 food safety messages recorded in Spanish.
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