Yesterday and today are both a day, but for some things, this day is too important!

 

2018 is slowly closing the curtain, and 2019 is on the stage
.

The New Year’s Eve is of great significance to many people.
It seems that after this day is a new starting point, everything can start all over again
.

However, there is no essential difference between 2018.
12.
31 and 2019.
1.
1.
Both are just an ordinary day in your life
.

However, for some things, this day may really mean life and death
.

For example, if there is a food with a shelf life just until 2018.
12.
31, isn't it expired by 2019.
1.
1?
    Is expired food "bad"? This will start from the origin of the shelf life
.
 
    [The meaning of
    shelf life ] The shelf life is produced with the food industry and food circulation.
Before that, there was no shelf life concept for food, only the difference between good and bad, or whether it can be eaten
.

    In order to sell the food produced by a food factory to consumers, it needs to be stored, transported, placed on store shelves, and waited for consumers to buy it home
.

    If the food spoils and tastes bad, who should be responsible? Is it the manufacturer or the consumer?
    With the expiration date, this problem is easy to handle
.

    The shelf life is actually a promise made by the food producer to consumers: "If the food is broken within the shelf life, it counts as mine
.
"
    Merchants cannot sell expired food, otherwise it is illegal, but if you buy it yourself and put it at the expiration date, eat it.
The manufacturer is not responsible for the problem
.
 
[How to determine the shelf life]
    The research and development of each food must consider the issue of shelf life, including the most common spoilage caused by bacteria, as well as various problems such as fatty acid failure, agglomeration, deliquescence, discoloration, precipitation, crystal precipitation, etc.
The food is safe and reliable from the time it leaves the factory to the time it is consumed
.

    The shelf life should also be matched with the storage conditions, such as normal temperature, protection from light, heat, refrigeration, and freezing
.

    If the storage conditions are not observed, the shelf life of the food is likely to shrink and even lose safety guarantees.
For example, quick-frozen food cannot leave the cold chain
.
 
    The shelf life is generally determined by "stability test" or "shelf life test"
.

The food is placed close to real storage conditions of constant temperature and humidity test box, every once in a while to get out and see how to save a number of effects, including microbiological, sensory indicators, physical and chemical indicators
.

    If the time is too long, you can do an "accelerated test" in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment, and then use a formula to calculate it, such as using 3 months to simulate 1 year
.

    If the experiment proves that one and a half years is no problem, then the shelf life may be set as one year, because in reality the food may experience temperature and humidity fluctuations, changes in light, bumps in transportation, etc.
, and an insurance factor is required
.

    After the general product goes on the market, the manufacturer will also verify the validity of the shelf life based on the actual sampling results of the shelves and customer complaints
.
 
【Pending Food】
    Pending food is the food that is approaching the expiration date.
Businesses generally check their inventory and shelves regularly to find them out
.

    Merchants can sell impending food through price cuts or bundled promotions, and put them in the front row of the shelves.
Some supermarkets also remove the shelves in advance and return to the manufacturers
.

    But relatively speaking, I prefer to promote this approach
.

    On the one hand, consumers can enjoy genuine high-quality and low-cost products, and on the other hand, it also prevents unscrupulous manufacturers from re-selling temporary food after refurbishment
.

    In foreign countries, it is a common practice for businesses to sell temporary food at a reduced price or directly donate to charities.
For example, Canada, the United States, and Germany have fairly complete food relief mechanisms to provide the most basic food security for low-income earners
.

    Foods from the United States, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Japan and other countries also have the best taste, best eating period or best taste period.
After the best use period (less than the shelf life), they will be sold at a discount
.
 
[Can I eat it after expiration? 】
    Many people think that expired food cannot be eaten, but it is not
.

    In most cases, food that has just expired can be consumed normally, because there is enough room for the shelf life, but the merchants do not allow the sale of expired food
.

    However, there is no accurate answer as to how long it can be eaten after the expiration date.
In fact, it can be eaten as long as the quality is okay
.

    The 2004 version of the "General Rules for the Labeling of Prepackaged Foods" also clearly stated: "After the expiration date, prepackaged foods may still be edible within a certain period of time
.
"
    Of course, the current standard removes this statement.
After all, we cannot "encourage" in the standard.
"Eat expired food
.
 
    Globally, the waste caused by expired food is amazing, and there are also many people who can’t eat enough due to poverty and other reasons
.

    Therefore, some supermarkets specializing in selling expired food have appeared in developed countries, bringing good news to the poor
.

    Such as Wefood in Denmark, Daily Table in the United States, The Good Food in Germany, etc.

.

    The overall goal is to maximize the social benefits of food, otherwise expired food is both a waste and a burden on the environment
.
 [Consumption Suggestions]
    First of all, avoid impulsive consumption when buying food, and don’t stock up on large quantities because of preferential promotions, which seems to be a big bargain
.

    If you want to try it out, buy a small package and try it.
It tastes delicious and buy a large package next time
.

    Secondly, products that are sold at reduced prices and bundled sales should pay attention to the expiration date.
They are often impending foods
.

    If you plan to buy it and eat it right away, you might as well choose it, which is very cost-effective
.

    Third, once the food packaging is opened, the shelf life will be invalidated, just like "no responsibility for leaving the cabinet" in the bank
.

    So eat the food as soon as possible after opening the package, and keep it sealed if you can't finish it
.

    If the price is similar, I tend to buy multiple small packages rather than one large package
.

    Fourth, if the food has expired at home, it is up to you to eat it
.

    If there is no peculiar smell or other sensory abnormalities, I usually eat it
.