"Best If Used By" Dates
The "Best If Used By" date is intended to tell you how long the product will retain best flavor or quality. The term is not a safety date. "Best If Used By" dates are intended as useful guidelines. Some foods may deteriorate more quickly and other foods may last longer than times suggested. A number of factors can shorted the useful life of a food product, such as improper handling and inadequate storage temperatures. The inventory control method of first-in-first-out (fifo) should be practiced by those responsible for managing commodity inventories and distribution at the local level. Products kept past the "Best If Used By" date are not necessarily out of condition. Food products may be eaten after the "Best If Used By" date if the product has been properly stored, handled, and the primary container is in good condition.
Group A |
0°F Or Below |
Frozen Fruit |
|
| Apple Slices, Frozen | 18 Months |
| Blackberries, Frozen | 18 Months |
| Blueberries, Frozen | 18 Months |
| Cherries, Frozen | 24 Months |
| Orange Juice, Frozen | 24 Months |
| Orange Juice, Single Service Cartons, Frozen | 9 Months |
| Peaches, Frozen | 18 Months |
| Peaches, Individual Cups, Frozen | 18 Months |
| Strawberries, Sliced, IQF, Frozen | 15 Months |
Frozen Vegetables |
|
| Beans, Green, Frozen | 12 Months |
| Carrots, Frozen | 24 Months |
| Corn, Frozen | 24 Months |
| Corn Cobbetts, Frozen | 9 Months |
| Peas, Frozen | 14 Months |
| Potato, Oven Type, Wedges | 12 Months |
| Potato, Rounds, Frozen | 12 Months |
| Potato, Wedges, Frozen | 12 Months |
| Sweet Potatoes, Frozen | 12 Months |
Frozen Meat/Meat Alternatives |
|
| Beef, Ground, Bulk, Frozen | 9 Months |
| Beef, Patties, 100%, w/VPP & Lean, Frozen | 4 Months |
| Beef Roasts, Frozen | 12 Months |
| Chicken Parts, Cooked, Breaded, Frozen | 4 Months |
| Chicken, Leg Quarters, Frozen | 8 Months |
| Chicken, Cut Up, Frozen | 8 Months |
| Chicken Meat, Cooked, Diced, Frozen | 6 Months |
| Eggs, Frozen, Whole | 12 Months |
| Ham, Cooked, Boneless, Frozen | 1-2 Months |
| Pork, Ground, Frozen | 9 Months |
| Pork, Sausage, Bulk, Frozen | 3 Months |
| Pork, Sausage, Patties, Frozen | 3 Months |
| Salmon Nuggets, Frozen | 6 Months |
| Turkey Burgers, Frozen | 4 Months |
| Turkey, Ground, Frozen | 3 Months |
| Turkey, Ham, Frozen | 4 Months |
| Turkey, Roast, Frozen | 7 Months |
| Turkey, Sausage, Chubs, Frozen | 3 Months |
| Turkey , Whole, Frozen | 9 Months |
"Best If Used By" Dates
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Group A
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Fruit |
40° F |
70° F |
| Applesauce, cnd | 48 Months | 24 Months |
| Apple Slices, cnd | 48 Months | 24 Months |
| Apricots, cnd | 48 Months | 24 Months |
| Cherries, cnd | 48 Months | 24 Months |
| Mixed Fruit, cnd | 48 Months | 24 Months |
| Peaches, cnd | 48 Months | 24 Months |
| Pears, cnd | 36 Months | 18 Months |
| Pineapple, cnd | 48 Months | 24 Months |
| Plums, cnd | 36 Months | 18 Months |
| Prunes, Pitted, Dried | 18 Months | 9 Months |
| Raisins, Seedless | 18 Months | 9 Months |
Beans, Dried |
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| Beans, Blackeye | 24 Months | 12 Months |
| Beans, Great Northern | 24 Months | 12 Months |
| Beans, Light Kidney | 24 Months | 12 Months |
| Beans, Red Kidney | 24 Months | 12 Months |
| Lentils | 24 Months | 12 Months |
| Beans, Lima | 24 Months | 12 Months |
| Beans, Navy Pea | 24 Months | 12 Months |
| Beans, Split Pea | 24 Months | 12 Months |
| Beans, Pinto | 24 Months | 12 Months |
| Beans, Small Red | 24 Months | 12 Months |
Vegetables |
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| Beans, Vegetarian, cnd | 48 Months | 24 Months |
| Beans, cnd dry | 72 Months | 36 Months |
| Beans, Refried, Low Fat, cnd | 72 Months | 36 Months |
| Beans, Green, cnd | 48 Months | 24 Months |
| Carrots, cnd | 60 Months | 30 Months |
| Corn, cnd | 72 Months | 36 Months |
| Peas, cnd | 72 Months | 36 Months |
| Salsa, cnd | 48 Months | 24 Months |
| Spaghetti Sauce, Meatless, cnd | 48 Months | 24 Months |
| Sweet Potatoes, cnd | 48 Months | 24 Months |
| Tomato Paste, cnd | 36 Months | 18 Months |
| Tomato Products, cnd | 48 Months | 24 Months |
Meat/Meat Alternate |
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| Beef NJ, cnd | 60 Months | 36 Months |
| Pork NJ, cnd | 60 Months | 36 Months |
| Poultry, cnd | 60 Months | 36 Months |
| Salmon, Pink, cnd | 72 Months | 36 Months |
| Salmon, pouches | 72 Months | 36 Months |
| Tuna, cnd | 72 Months | 36 Months |
Special Handling Required |
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| Date Pieces | Refrigerate 38-40° F Freeze 0° F or below |
5 Months 12 Months |
| Fig Nuggets | Store 55° F or below | 12 Months |
| Plum/Prune Puree | Store in cool, dry area. | 9 Months |
| Egg Mix, dry | Store in cool, dry place. | 15 Months |
CHEESES: |
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| Processed American or Cheddar | In original package at 32° F After opening at 30-35º F, well wrapped |
18 Months 3-4 Weeks |
| Mozzarella | In original package at 0° F or below After opening at 30-35° F, well wrapped |
12 Months 3-4 Weeks |
| Lite Mozzarella | In original package at 38-42°F | 5 Months |
| Reduced Fat Cheddar | In original package at 32-40°F | 5 Months |
Group B
|
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40° F |
70° F |
|
| Bakery Mix, Regular and Low Fat | 12 Months | 6 Months |
| Flour, All Types | 24 Months | 12 Months |
| Cornmeal | 24 Months | 12 Months |
| Grits, Corn | 24 Months | 12 Months |
| Oats, Rolled | 24 Months | 12 Months |
| Pasta Products | 72 Months | 36 Months |
| Rice, Milled | 48 Months | 24 Months |
| Peanut Butter, Regular and Reduced Fat | 36 Months | 18 Months |
| Peanut Granules | 60 Months | 24 Months |
| Peanuts, Roasted | 60 Months | 24 Months |
| Vegetable Shortening | 48 Months | 24 Months |
| Vegetable Oil | 24 Months | 12 Months |
| Salad Oil Dressing | 24 Months | 12 Months |
| Salad Oil Dressing, Reduced Calorie | 8 Months | 5 Months |
| Wheat, Rolled, Quick | 24 Months | 12 Months |
| Non-fat Dry Milk | 24 Months | 12 Months |
| Honey | 48 Months | 24 Months |
Special Handling Required |
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| Bulgur (Cracked Wheat) | Store in cool, dry place | Use within 4 Months |
| Brown Rice | At 36-40° F At 50-70° F |
6 Months 3 Months |
| Butter | At 32-35° F | 1 Month |