Are confusing food labels leading to a lot of waste in your home? The USDA only requires expiration dates for infant formula. All other date labels are not for safety reasons but are used at the discretion of the manufacturer or retailer to help consumers determine quality (consistency, flavor, color, etc).

Save the Food is a great guide to when your food is really past its prime and for ideas on how to use that wilted spinach or stale bread. Did you know eggs are good for 3-5 weeks after sell-by date? Going on vacation? You can put that milk in the freezer for up to 3 months. Your hard cheese has some mold? No worries. Slice off that part and enjoy the rest.

In the US 40% of our food gets thrown out, but in your kitchen you are in control of what gets used and what gets tossed.