Check your dates!

[greenwitch]

Happy new year, everyone! Now's a great time to check your cabinets for expiration dates. Keep in mind that many dates are arbitrary or "best by" dates, and not "you will die of food poisoning" dates (click here for a cheat sheet for food and household products). However, it's a good idea to try to use up old stuff. Make sure that anything with 2011 stamped on it is brought to the front of your cupboards and used first, while anything with 2013 or later is pushed to the back.

Comments

[kathmandu]

One trick I picked up from my grandmother was to keep a marker in the kitchen. When I buy canned food I write the month and year bought (e.g. "3/11" for March 2011) on the can in large obvious letters. Makes it easier to glance into the cupboard and immediately reach for the oldest ones first.

Also with perishable things like meat, I put the leftover cooked food in a plastic container, put a bit of masking tape on the container and write the date on that, then put it in the fridge. That way I know when things need using up and which batches I really don't even need to sniff, just toss.

[primsong]

I like this idea - I've used it a little for the extra stuff in the pantry, but so often don't want to go find a marker when I'm putting away groceries. I'm resolving to go buy a couple good fat markers and to put one in the kitchen and one in the pantry this week.

[brigid]

I keep a black sharpie in my junk drawer for exactly this purpose. I also keep a black laundry marker in my toddler's top dresser drawer so when I sort out outgrown clothing I can make sure it's marked with our name (in case it gets lended out) before packing it away.

[freya46]

Cupboards have expiration dates? *grin*

I'm waiting for someone to take pity on me and come over to help me clear out my spice/herb cabinets and fridge. Maybe even the pantry. :-)

[ironed_orchid]

That's really good advice.

[brigid]

Once or twice a year (I try to do this oftener, but usually only hit once a year) I also go through all my plastic containers and glass jars and make sure 1) they have lids 2) that fit will 3) and aren't warped or cracked. Don't fit the criteria? I send them out of the house. My MIL likes to send leftovers home with us in weird containers so if we're not careful they take over the house.