My husband and I have the same argument over and over when it comes to food items and when we should throw them out. In my opinion, he's way too quick to toss foods and in his opinion, I keep food longer than is safe. I'm tired of the back and forth so I thought it was time to go do some investigating and find out when it's time to toss food items.
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Click through the gallery to find 10 popular food items in your kitchen and when you should toss them.
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Eggs
Eggs are generally good for about 3 to 5 weeks. Some cartons come with expiration dates, but your eggs might still be good even after that date. To check, you can do what is referrred to as a float test. Put the eggs in a bowl of water and any that float to the top are ready to be thrown out.
Milk, cheese and yogurt
Follow the dates on the packaging. Milk is usually good for about 7 days after the sell by date as long as it's been kept cold. If your cheeses are getting close to their expiration date, you can always freeze them for up to six months.
Meat and chicken
Raw ground meat or raw chicken is safe to keep refrigerated for up to 2 days. Other cuts of meat can be refrigerated for up to 5 days. You can keep ground meat frozen for up to 2 months. Other cuts of meat and chicken can be frozen for up to 6 months.
Leftovers
If you have leftovers, you can safely keep them in the fridge for up to 4 days. After that, you should toss them because you up your chances of getting food poisoning.
Pantry items
Hmmm, I did not know this, but apparently canned foods and spices don't go bad, they just stop tasting as good after their best by date. You should always throw away any cans that are bulging or leaking and when it comes to baby formula and baby food toss them according to the date on the package.
Fruits and veggies
If the fruit or veggie has mold, toss it. If it has been bruised of damaged that will make it rot quicker. Most fruit or veggies are good for 2 to 3 weeks. Once they have been cut, they should be refrigerated and eaten within 4 days.
Garlic and onions
Onions can be stored in a cool dry place. Red onions can keep for about 30 days and yellow onions for a few weeks. Once onions that have been cut or peeled, they should be refrigerated and used within 7 days. Whole garlic can be kept at room temp for 1 to 2 months. Once garlic has been peeled or cut, it should be refrigerated and can be kept for up to 10 days.
Oil
You want to keep your cooking oils in a cool dark place. If they start to smell funky, throw them out.
Fish
Fresh fish should be cooked and eaten within two days. You can also wrap it up tightly and freeze it for up to 6 months.
Bread
Follow the use by date on the package if you keep your bread on the counter or in a cabinet. I never store bread in the fridge because a baker friend told me it can make it go stale, but you can freeze it for up to 3 months.
