What to Do with Food Past Its 'Best By' Date?

When you find a package of food sitting in the back of your fridge or pantry, and it shows a date that’s past its 'best by,' what do you do? You might be tempted to check the quality before making a decision or think, "Eh, it looks fine!" But here’s the thing: the safest option is to discard it. Let's unpack why that is so important.

The 'best by' date isn't just a suggestion. Think of it as a guideline for when the food is at its peak quality in terms of flavor, texture, and overall enjoyment. Beyond that date, while the food may not show any visible signs of spoilage, it could be sneaking in those less-than-ideal bacteria ready to cause a bit of chaos in your system.

Now, you might wonder why simply checking the food's quality isn't enough. I mean, if it looks and smells alright, right? Not quite. Bacterial growth can happen without any noticeable signs. Imagine biting into that seemingly perfect apple only to find out it’s not just the apple core you’re chewing on—yikes! That’s a risk no one wants to take, especially in a restaurant or food service setting where customer safety is paramount.

You might say, “But can’t I just freeze it for later use?” Sure, freezing can help preserve food for a longer time. Still, it doesn’t solve the problem when that food has already passed its 'best by' date. While freezing may slow down spoilage, it might not stop harmful bacteria that have made their home in your food. So just putting it on ice for later isn’t the solution either.

When managing food safety in restaurants, it's crucial to serve food that meets all safety standards. Even if you think those leftovers look good, serving anything past its recommended date can cause significant risks for you and your customers. It’s better to err on the side of caution; after all, a reputation for quality and safety is everything.

Food waste is a real concern, and we all want to reduce it, but safety should always come first. Halting and discarding expired food may feel wasteful, but consider the alternative. No one wants to learn this the hard way, right? After all, it only takes one bad experience for customers to lose trust.

So, the verdict? If the food exceeds its 'best by' date, toss it out. Yes, it’s the responsible thing to do, even if it feels like a shame to throw away good food. Remember, food safety isn’t just about what’s on your plate today—it’s about keeping everyone healthy and happy tomorrow, too.